Blessed before God

Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 

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. 

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

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 

7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 

9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! 

10 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. 

11 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. 

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! 

for the Psalmist Then...

It was a blessing to work in the temple. 

He longed to be in God’s presence.

Where the humble find a home.

Where the restless find a refuge. 

He loved to sing God’s praise.

God is the covenant keeping Lord.

God is the commander of heavenly hosts.

God is the living God.

God is my King.

God is my God.

God is the only God.

God is the faithful God.

God is a source of life and light to His people.

God is a shield of protection and provision for His people. 

God showers His grace upon His people.

God shares His glory with His people.

God shows His goodness to His people.

It was a blessing to journey to the temple.

Hope in God brought strength amidst weakness. 

Hope in God brought joy amidst weeping.

It was a blessing to trust in God.

for The Christian Now...

It is a blessing to be the temple.

It is a blessing to journey to heaven. 

It is a blessing to trust in Christ.

Then, the psalmist prayed for God’s favor on an earthly king.

Now, the Christian enjoys God’s favor through our eternal King.

Thanks Pastor David!