Text: Psalm 84:1-12 ESV
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to...
Text: Psalm 84:1-12 ESV
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
-Psa 84:1-12 ESV
THE JOY IN GOD’S PRESENCE
Israelites are required to visit the temple once or twice each year on a pilgrimage. This psalm reflects the joy and satisfaction of one such traveler or pilgrim as he comes to the temple to worship (v.1-2).
How lovely is your dwelling place,
1 O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
As he observes the birds building their nests in the temple courtyard, he finds them at rest. Similarly, he finds rest in God’s house (3-4).
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
He experienced troubles and hardships on the journey but upon arriving at the temple now it seems his hardships are nothing. Although he was faint and weary in a waterless country, God strengthened him to go on (v.5-7).
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
As he offers praise to God he does not forget to pray for the king (8-9).
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
He finds such joy in worshipping in God’s house, The almighty God alone is the source of all true blessing (v.10-12).
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
That he would gladly bear any difficulties, no matter how tiring the journey is, just to stand at the door. To be in the presence of God at the temple worshipping with God’s people is his joy. He would rather go through hardships and be at the temple than remain at ease but be far away from God.
Evidently, the pilgrim’s faith in God’s goodness keeps him in his pursuit and journey.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
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