God's House

8 0 0

by elizabethaudet

by elizabethaudet

Psalm 84:1-12

The sons of Kroah wrote Psalm 84 as well as many others. I often wonder if they got together to accomplish this, or, if a separate son was chosen for this assignment, or, was it just a sudden inspiration from God that caused one to sit down and pen these words so intricately. I may never know, but the Bible in Psalms reveals some heartfelt Praise to God and relates events that have occurred in Israel's history with accuracy. The writer is desiring to worship God in His Dwelling Place. He recognizes the worship that takes place in the House of God in Jerusalem. Originally the tabernacle was the Dwelling Place of God's Presence, but later the Temple in Jerusalem became His Abode. It was surrounded by courts for the people of Israel and was built on the pattern of a house rather than a tent. The Psalmist longed to worship there again!
   If he lived far from Jerusalem it entailed a journey of perhaps a long travel to the city of Jerusalem, the city of the Temple. This chapter is divided into six parts: verses 1-2 is a desire to be home in Zion; verses 3-4 are the blessings of being home; verses 5-7 refers to the pilgrimage blessings; verses 8-9 is a prayer for God's attention in Zion; verses 10-11 reflects the joy of being in Zion; and verse 12 relates the blessings of trust in God.
With Jesus' Words in Matthew 28:18-20 in mind, we begin Psalm 84:1-2-(KJV)-"How amiable are Thy Tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!" (Psalms 8:1, 9; 27:4; 46:4-5; The word Hosts refers to the angelic beings who are named first.).
"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." (Three responses to the Psalmists desire to worship God are: longing; fainting; and crying out!; Psalm 42:1-4). The Psalmist heart is only geared for one person-the Living God! Our whole being and everyday activity should be geared for the Living God every day!!!
   The Psalmist is so desirous of God's presence that he envies the lower creatures availability to it at the slightest movement. Psalm 84:3-4-(TEV)-"Even the Sparrows have built a nest, and the Swallows have their own home; they keep their young near Your altars, LORD ALMIGHTY, MY KING AND MY GOD!" (What a lovely image of birds nesting with their young near God's altars. Sparrows and Swallows fortunate enough to dwell there-the Place of the priests who served the temple where God's House was a place of Praise and Worship with continual blessings. (Psalms 104:17; 11:1; Luke 12:7; Jeremiah 8:7; Isaiah 38:14)
   I would like to pause here and remind you that God places a special blessings on the birds of the air and uses them for a divine purpose. Yes, they are His creation from the beginning but several times He has used them in my own life as a sign to me!
   One day I was driving along the back road to go to a town nearby. As I drove I was trying to make a hard decision whether to make a trip back to my own hometown by plane or not. Suddenly on that lonely road an Eagle soared down beside my car and flew along beside me, turning its head toward me and looking me straight in the eye. Then as I entered an intersection of the road, the Eagle flew up and looking back one more time at me disappeared in the clouds. Now you can think what you like, but I felt God affirming my decision to go. When I arrived at the airport for my flight, there was my plane awaiting me and yes, you guessed right- THE SYMBOL ON THE PLANE WAS AN EAGLE! God was assuring me that He was in my decision and had influenced my choice. I flew on His wings!! (Deuteronomy 28:49; 32:12; Job 39:27-29)
   Notice the ending of verse 4 when the psalmist addresses God with respect and reverence. "ALMIGHTY, MY KING, MY GOD!" He is pressing into God's Presence with recognition Of God's Great Power and Control. (Matthew 6:8b-13-NKJV-"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name! your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!...")
"How happy are those who live in Your temple, always singing praise to You!" (Psalm 65:4-"Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your House, of Your Holy Temple." (This was David's opinion also in this Psalm 65 which he wrote. "Oh to be there," was their cry. But we have access to the very presence of God through prayer and daily conversations with Him if we have accepted the Broken-down Wall and the Rent Veil through JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR!)
Psalm 84:5-7-(CEB)-"Those who put their strength in You are truly happy; pilgrimage is in their hearts."   (Three times a year-during Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of the Tabernacle- Hebrew men must appear before God at the temple, Exodus 23:17; For some THIS meant long journeys to Jerusalem. These journeys from the north or east could take weeks. The anticipation ran high while they journeyed. Imagine their joy when they finally saw the rise of the temple on the Hill of Mount Zion! This section of Psalm 84 includes this journey. Read Psalms 121:1; 122:1-4).
"As they pass through The Baca Valley, they make it a spring of water." (In Hebrew Baca means Balsam. Trees that grew in dry desert places where weary travelers may rest in the heat of the day under the shade trees. Some say under these trees could be dug refreshing waters that would spring up and provide refreshing and cooling for the weary travelers. Worshipping God can turn our dry, dreary existents into a refreshing, cooling element before God! Then we can travel on no matter how hard the journey is! Because a time in God's House is better than elsewhere!)
"Yes, the early rain covers it with blessings." (Amen and Amen!)
"They go from strength to strength until they see the Supreme God in Zion." (NIV says in Psalm 85:5, "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on Pilgrimage."; Read Deuteronomy 16:16; the words "Supreme God in Zion" Is from the Hebrew. As are the words, "The God of god's will be seen in Zion."; Not just another manufactured God but THE SUPREME GOD WILL BE SEEN IN ZION!" HALLELUJAH!!! Praise His Name!
   Psalm 85:8-9-(TLB)-"O Jehovah, God of the heavenly armies, hear my prayer!" God is head over even the angels which serve as His military force; but, "HEAR ME!" I may be a puny, earth-bound creature; but "HEAR ME!")
"Listen, God of Israel." (Another HEAR ME cry!)
"O God, OUR DEFENDER AND OUR SHIELD, HAVE MERCY ON THE ONE YOU HAVE ANOINTED AS YOUR KING." (In Hebrew "Your King" is "Your anointed."; Shield refers back to Genesis 15:1 when God promised Abraham, "I AM YOUR SHIELD, YOUR EXCEEDINGLY GREAT REWARD.")
   THIS NEXT PORTION BEGINS WITH AN OUTSTANDING STATEMENT! Psalm84:10-11-(NKJV)-"FOR A DAY IN YOUR COURTS IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND."
(Blessed means an overriding sense of joy regardless of circumstances. Worshipping God in His House excels all else. We do it, not just for God's sake, but for our own also. We are blessed by this experience. The Psalmist wanted to be in Jerusalem on Mount Zion in God's Presence more than anything else he could get or gain. He expected to meet God there. What could be more blessed than a day with God. We have eternity ahead to spend with God no matter when it begins. Meanwhile we are in His Presence here as we allow Him to flow through our lives daily; no matter what else happens.)
"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the House of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (The priests were the doorkeepers and dwelt in humble quarters, but the word Tents of wickedness" are called"palaces" in TLB translation. Actually, the Psalmist meant he would rather live poorly than indulge in iniquity and gain beautiful mansions.)
"For the Lord is a Sun and Shield; the Lord will give Glory and Grace: " (Isaiah 60:19-20; Exodus 15:1- gloriously; Genesis 34:8-10; The sun presents many thoughts: In Hebrew the word is "Shemesh."; Joshua 10:12-13 the sun is the celestial body of illumination for the earth; Psalm 136:7-8; the idiom "before the sun" describes an action done openly in public-2 Samuel 12:2; it is also a Biblical symbol for Jesus' righteousness in Malachi 4:2; also a title for God in Psalm 84:11; ancient worship of the sun was not worship of God-2 Kings 21:3-4; Ezekiel 8:16; Read Psalm 148:1-3 to see the sun is a creation which honors God; and then Isaiah 60:19 which shows proper respect and worship of God only.)
"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Walk along His Path. This is a gift from God for those who serve Him.)
   Psalm 84:12-(TEV)-"HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO TRUST IN YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD!" (Finally as the pilgrim reached his destination he sang to the glory of God . (Remember 84:4-"Blessed are they that dwell in Your House..."; 84:5-"Blessed is the man whose strength is in God"; and 84:12-"Blessed is the man that trusts in God." Blessed =Happy. This happiness does not depend on circumstances. It goes beyond the present situations.)
   So I must conclude this Psalm with 84:2-(TEV)-"HOW I WANT TO BE THERE! I LONG FOR THE COURTS OF THE LORD'S TEMPLE. WITH MY WHOLE BEING I SING WITH JOY TO THE LIVING GOD!"
   AMEN AND AMEN!!!!

   Next time...