Sunday 06:10:12

Psalm 84:1-12 v. 1 The Psalmist is thinking about the beauty of the Temple. The Temple was the place where God’s presence dwelt. It was the grounds where creation and Creator met. It was also where people came to worship him. It was where people offered sacrifice for their sins, and received forgiveness. The psalmist writes, “How lovely”. How beautiful indeed. All of this is found in Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of the OT Temple. He is how we meet God. He is how we receive forgiveness. v. 2 The Psalmist physically longs for the experience of God’s presence. His attention is on the Lord. He longs for His presence. In a world that offers many distractions, pursuits; God himself is the treasure. He is the treasure in the field. v. 3 He sees sparrows that have nested in the temple eaves. Common birds have nested close to the altar of the Lord Almighty. The thought of those lowly birds in such a glorious place overwhelms the psalmist. “O Lord Almighty” (Jehovah tsaba) “Lord of Hosts” is the Lord who is sovereign over all the ‘hosts’ (powers) of heaven and earth. “my King” God is not only over the earth, but his personal Lord, sovereign over the psalmist. “my God.” (elohiym) God and his divinity, his uniqueness over creation. v. 5 Those who have lean on God to be their strength are blessed. Those who set their hearts on pilgrimage after God are blessed. v. 6 Passing through the Valley of Baca – the valley of weeping. When God’s people pass through sorrow, suffering, The valley is a picture of a parched land. No water, no shelter. But God brings rains for his people. The rain brings pools that the people are able to go from one to the next as they travel. God’s provision gives them strength. This may be a picture of a practice where people would dig out earthen cisterns in arid places. They would dig out pits and then wait for the rains to come and fill them so they could have pools of water to drink from. Get that picture: people dug out pits, waiting, trusting, knowing that God would fill them. Even when there was no water, they prepared for the Lord’s blessing. In the midst of suffering, of sorrow, God’s people for thousands of years have found that God gives them strength. v. 10 Better is one day in your courts – one day of fellowship with God in service as a temple guard is better than receiving public recognition and wealth. v. 11 “Sun” is symbolic of a time of restoration and light. The Lord bestows “favor (grace, acceptance) and “honor” (kabowd) literally glory. God showers his people with all of his “goodness” v. 12 Blesses is the man who trusts in you. Do you long for the Lord’s presence? Let him remind you of his favor toward you.