Psalm 84:1-4

The Excitement of Love

Intense love

Psalm 84:1 NKJV

How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!

Intense language of love poetry.

(NKJV)

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

Joy and praise pour out of my soul

(NKJV)

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

(NKJV)

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.

A servants joy

He is in love with God! Are you IN LOVE with God?

He finds the temple itself beautiful because God is there.

Every situation and location and person is transformed by a God’s glorious presence.

He finds the temple itself beautiful because God is there.

He’s in love with God!

When the one we love is with us every experience is delightful.

-we smile

-we laugh

-we see things differently

The Domino Effect

In the NT the “temple of God” is redefined.

1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

(NKJV)

(NKJV)

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

(NKJV)

(NKJV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

People are now God’s temple!

And we are able to love God’s temple, His church, because we are so in love with God.

That’s where the supply of love comes from for people.

Your love for God Himself.

Love of the body of Christ, individually and collectively, is the evidence of your connection with God.

Is your relationship with God centered on your deep love and appreciation and affection for Jesus?

Psalm 84:2 NKJV

My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

The true object of the longing that is felt.

My heart and my flesh cry out

Psalm 84:2 NKJV

My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

He is fully aware that all of his heart’s deepest longings will be satisfied not by belief in some distant, impersonal force, but in the living God alone.

He has experienced the power and presence and approachability of God. An experience was had that he is desperately missing.

Building your nest

Even the sparrow

Psalm 84:3 NKJV

Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

More love language.

The psalmist envy’s anyone or anything that has access to the distant beloved.

home

Psalm 84:3 NKJV

Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

Imagery:

Birds make a nest in God’s house.

They have His dwelling place, His very presence as the center of their existence. He is their anchor point. They consistently return to Him and rely on Him for safety, provision, and comfort.

Make constant, consistent fellowship with God your one priority.

Dwell with Him daily.

Wake up to His voice and let the fragrance of the prayers of His people close out your day.

Questions:

Are you flitting around God’s house with your nest completely removed from His loving presence?

Are you trying to find security and belonging and community outside of your creator?

Learn to live a life near God. Resolve to build your home near a go’s altar.

Prayer time:

Pray for the love and grace to do that consistently.

house

Psalm 84:4 NKJV

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

Note here the two mentions of the word house (or home), close together: one for the sparrow (3), the other for God (4), a touch that brings out his tender hospitality; and if for the birds, then surely for the servant!

Kidner

Blessed

Psalm 84:4 NKJV

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

First of 3 blessings or beatitudes

It sums up the musings of the verses so far, on the happy lot of those who are not exiles. But we may reflect that often it is the exile who appreciates home, while the stay-at-homes find fault with it.

Kidner

This first “blessing” is wistful.

dwell

Psalm 84:4 NKJV

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

Remain, sit. They will still praise Him.