Psalm 84

The Joy of Dwelling with God

 ~ Isaiah 55:6

Some Biblical scholars believe David penned  this psalm when he was forced by son Absalom’s rebellion to flee his city – and he greatly lamented this absence because it was the holy city.  It is also believed that Psalm 84 was fitly looked upon as a psalm or song for the Sabbath. 

  

How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, even faints

For the courts of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  ~ Ps. 84:1-2

In the actual temple in Jerusalem, all the people had access to the outer court called the “great court.”  The inner court was reserved for the priests.  In Psalm 84, we see the true object of the pilgrim’s longing is not so much the physical courts of the temple as it is a Person, the living God.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.  ~ Ps. 84:5

The pilgrimage to the temple could be arduous, but seeking God is always worth the effort – and God supplies the needed strength. 

Below is an artwork rendering of a pilgrimage to the temple -
may we seek God today as fervently as the faithful Old Testament children of God. 

I have been in Israel this past week - what a blessing to walk the same ground as some of these faithful ones of old!

WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• God hears my prayer
• God is my strength and shield
• God delights in giving good gifts to His children
• God is trustworthy

 HOW CAN I PRAISE GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• I praise the Lord that He is found when I seek Him
• I praise the Lord that He is the Living God
• I praise God that He is my sun and shield - He is my power source and my protection
• I praise the Lord for His blessings

Sunlight is the Earth's primary source of energy

PRAYER:

     Like King David, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God!  Thank You, my King and my God, that You are found when I seek You.  May my heart always be set on that 'pilgrimage' of seeking You above all things.  

     Would You look upon me with Your favor, O Lord?  I pray that You would give ear to my prayer; that You would be my sun and shield.  Father, I pray that You will also grant grace to me, and not withhold any good thing but pour out Your richest blessings in my life and the lives of those I love.  I pray that my heart and those of my loved ones would be steadfast, that we would walk uprightly before You.  I know that it is only through Your strength that anyone would be able to do this - would You fill me and those in my family with Your Holy Spirit and grant us victorious life over the sins of our flesh?  May we not dwell in the tents of wickedness but desire the courts of the Lord. 

     Your words says that those who trust in You are blessed - may I be such a one, O Lord!  In Jesus' name I pray ~ Amen