Psalm 84
The Pilgrim's
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!
2 My Soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. |
The house of God was dear and desired by the psalmist because it was where he met God. Everything within him – heart and flesh – longed for God and His house.
For today, this is a person who has decided to chase not after the world's emptiness, but rather God's fullness. We can meet with God "in the secret place" no matter where we are...at home, at work, at church, on a walk....anywhere. Psalm 91 describes meeting with God in the "secret place" (vs 1 KJV) and in vs 9, it says that the Most High IS your dwelling place. The more you are satisfied with God, the more you crave to spend time with Him. |
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may have her young - a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
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“The writer of this Psalm had peculiar familiarity with the Temple. He had watched it with loving eyes, and seen the birds finding rest and refuge there.” (Morgan)
Boice offered that the sparrow is an example of a bird of small significance and the swallow is a picture of restlessness. Likewise, the insignificant can find his place in the house of God, and the restless man can find his rest (nest) there – near God’s altar. My King and my God: “The double ‘my’ is very precious; he lays hold upon his God with both his hands, as one resolved not to let him go till the favour requested be at length accorded.” (Spurgeon) |
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah
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A common characteristic for those who abide with the LORD, is that they are ever praising Him.
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5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
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She does not rely on self or the world for strength but considers herself a visitor, a traveler, a pilgrim in this world.
This strength and heart of a pilgrim are displayed by the love for the house of God. There she meets with God, along with other pilgrims, and they gain strength in God together as they meet. The love and longing for the house of God are not meant as an escape from the world, but as a preparation for life in the world. |
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make iit a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
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The sense or meaning of the Valley of Baca is uncertain. Commentators usually suggest that Baca speaks of tears and weeping, or of drought and dryness. Thoughts of difficulty and trouble are present in either. he heart for God’s house provided wisdom and strength for the life lived away from God’s house. A difficult place (such as the Valley of Baca) was transformed into a spring, complete with rain and pools of water. If she cannot enjoy sweetness she can find strength and joy in God.
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7 They go from strength to strength; till each appears before God in Zion.
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With the blessedness expressed by plenty of water in an otherwise dry place, the pilgrim lives in strength and goes to more strength. The rich relationship with God is a never ending supply of strength for the journey, even with difficult seasons.
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8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. |
This is the prayer of the pilgrim and a grounded plea in the long history of God’s dealing with His covenant people. That same God who blessed and was faithful to Jacob will also be faithful to His people today. This is worthy of meditation – thus the insertion of the psalm’s second Selah.
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10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
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Time spent at God’s house was better and more valuable than time spent elsewhere. Living a luxurious life in the fancy tents of wickedness meant nothing to him; he would rather humbly serve in God’s house.
As the Korahites were, to whom this psalm was committed, this may be a reference to the Korahites’ function of door keepers, |
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
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The psalmist explains the goodness and blessing that come to those pilgrims who love and long for the house of God. They enjoy God as the source of blessing (sun) and defense (shield). They receive His generous favor and honor (or grace and glory).
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12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You.
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God’s greatness and goodness lead the psalmist to experience and declare the blessedness of trusting in God.
“The essence of godliness is in submissiveness to the Great King, who will grant his blessings to those who find their refuge in him.” (VanGemeren) |