Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 84

For many people Monday mornings are difficult, as they know it is the beginning of another week which will be just like the last. Get up, wrestle to get the kids off to school, try and get yourself to work on time, drag through the work day, rush home, feed the kids and then collapse into bed only to do it all again tomorrow. If that isn’t enough, this morning we woke up to news that the worst mass shooting in American history occurred late last night. This Monday morning is a stark reminder of the result of the fall of mankind long ago in the Garden of Eden.

Psalm 84 is a bright spot in what otherwise looks to be a hopeless existence. It is a reminder to Christians that we do not belong in this world. We were created for more.

Psalm 84:1-2

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!  My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

There is a much better place to live. That place is with God.

Psalm 84:3
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

There is a home for all of us. That home is at the altar of God.

Psalm 84:4
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah

Being blessed is being happy. The only place to find that is to dwell with God.

Psalm 84:5-7
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.  As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.  They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

As the days go on in light of last night’s shooting, we will hear discussion of how to prevent more shootings like last night’s. The truth is they can never be stopped completely. We will never be safe from violence and evil as a society until Jesus comes. As my pastor said just yesterday, it will get worse. It will. But we don’t have to live in fear. We can trust in God. He is our strength.

Psalm 84:8-11
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah  Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!  For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Are you wondering how you can ever feel safe again? Are you afraid that if you go to enjoy a concert or a ball game, some crazed killer will take your life? If you are a Christian, you need not fear. Hear the Word of God.

Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

What can man do to me? “He can kill me”, you cry. If you are a Christian, then that means he can send you home to Jesus. And guess what Christian? A day in God’s courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Do you believe that?

Psalm 84:11-12
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

It is a sad morning. Pray for those suffering through this tragedy. But place your hope in Him. Live your life free from fear because when it’s taken from you, and it will one day, you can dwell in the courts of God.