FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 84: The Wonder of the Lord's Presence
For
the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah.
A psalm.
[Preliminary
Comments: This psalm is really all about the wonder
of the access we have to the Lord in His dwelling place [v.1]
and the psalmist longs to be there [v.2], a place of utmost security
and intimacy where even the sparrow feels safe [v.3]. It's a wonderful
privilege just to be able to be there [v.4]. Those who hunger
after God and search for Him, who will pilgrimage just to be near
Him, find strength in the journey [v.5]. In their journey to encounter
Him they may experience a place of tears (Baka) but yet find refreshment
[v.6] and thus be gradually strengthened [v.7]. With this in mind,
the psalmist [their king] calls to the Lord to bless him [v.8,9]
because he has learned that His presence is more wonderful than
anything else [v.10] for the Lord blesses all who come to Him
[v.11] and trust Him [v.12]. Yes, all about the wonder of the
Lord's presence.]
PART
1: v.1-4 The Wonder of the Presence of the Lord
v.1
The psalmist exults in the Temple
v.1
How
lovely is your dwelling-place,
Lord Almighty!
v.2
He longs to know and experience the Lord there
v.2
My
soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
v.3
Even a little bird has found its home in the innermost part of
the temple
v.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.
v.4
What a privilege to be able to praise God in His temple
v.4
Blessed
are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
PART
2: v.5-7: The Journey (Pilgrimage) to see His face
v.5
Those who trust and search for Him will be strengthened
v.5
Blessed
are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
v.6
The journey to the temple takes one through the place of weeping,
then refreshing
v.6
As
they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
v.7
The journey brings strength (in anticipation) until they get to
God
v.7
They
go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
PART
3: v.8-12: Prayer for Blessing
v.8
A plea for the Lord to hear
v.8
Hear
my prayer, Lord
God
Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
v.9
Observe the king, our protector, your anointed one
v.9
Look
on our shield, O God;
look with favour on your anointed one.
v.10
Being close to your presence is more wonderful than anything else
v.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.
v.11
For the righteous He is both light and protection
v.11
For
the Lord
God
is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favour and honour;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose way of life is blameless.
v.12
The Almighty One blesses all who trust in Him
v.12
Lord
Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
[Additional
Comments: Parts 1 & 3 are about the wonder of the
Lord's presence and part 2 is about the journey we sometimes have
to make to find Him. Much fuel for meditation.]
Continue
to Psa 85