Good Things from God – Psalm 84

Exposition of Psalm 84 with the emphasis being on the theme of longing after the presence of God. Also includes a personal testimony from Pastor Simeon whose life’s verse is Psalm 84:11 – “no good thing will he withold from them that walk uprightly.”

Title: The Psalm is addressed to the chief musician, the music director of the Levitical musical program set up by David (See 1 Chr. 25:1-31). The phrase “upon Gittith” is likely a musical term, referring to a musical instrument of some sort.

Author: Likely David – note reference to ‘anointed’ in Vs. 9. The Psalmist also addresses God as “LORD” (Jehovah), which is how David usually addresses God, whereas Asaph typically addresses God as God (Elohiym).

Recipients: The sons of Korah. Encouraging to see the sons of Korah serving in God’s house despite their father’s rebellion, along with Dathan and Abiram. The sons of Korah were employed as keepers and porters of the tabernacle (1 Chr. 9:19; 26:1-19).

Overview: The Psalm is a passionate expression of love for God and His house (See Vs. 1-2). God’s tabernacles, courts, altar, and house are mentioned seven times. Allen P. Ross writes, “It is a song of Zion, that is, a hymn that is essentially focused on the sanctuary in Jerusalem. Because it is the dwelling place of the LORD, the faithful long to be there and envy those who are privileged to remain there. So, the Psalm reflects a festive procession of the faithful to Jerusalem for one of the festivals.”

Theme: The Psalmist’s longing to experience God’s presence in God’s house. There are numerous descriptions of the LORD that provide a rich theology. This Psalm is full of God, for example: “LORD” (Vs. 2), “LORD of hosts” (Vs. 1, 3, 8 & 12); “LORD God” (Vs. 11), “living God” (Vs. 2); “God of Jacob” (Vs. 8); ‘King’ (Vs. 3) & “sun and shield” (Vs. 11). David’s passionate love for His God springs out of His personal relationship with Him (“my king and my God” Vs. 3).

Beauty: All the Psalms are beautiful, but Psalm 84 stands out. Spurgeon called it “one of the choicest of the collection”. It has been called “the Pearl of Psalms” (Sorenson). Boice writes, “For its high and uplifting sentiment, the simplicity and exquisite beauty of its images, and its moving aspirations, it may be unequalled anywhere.”

Structure: The Psalm divides neatly into 3 sections of 4 verses each as indicated by the 2 ‘Selahs’ (Vs. 4, 8).

Observe firstly…

The Desire for God’s House (Vs. 1-4)

The Passion of his Desire (Vs. 1-2)

1. His love for God’s house (Vs. 1)
   1. ‘amiable’ = the word is also translated ‘beloved’ (5), ‘loves’ (1) and ‘wellbeloved’ (2). Webster defines the word as “Lovely; worthy of love; deserving of affection; applied usually to persons. But in Psalms 84:1, there is an exception.” It is an old English word which means “lovable or lovely.”
   2. ‘tabernacles’ = a reference to the numerous facilities and furnishings of the temple.
   3. “O LORD of hosts” = a ‘host’ is an army. The focus of this title is upon God’s Mighty, Sovereign power. “All armies in heaven and on earth are at His disposal to carry out His plans.” (Ross)
   4. Spurgeon: “Earth contains no sight so refreshing to us as the gathering of believers for worship. Those are sorry saints who see nothing amiable in the services of the Lord’s house.”
2. His longing for God’s house (Vs. 2)
   1. ‘longeth’ = to long after, greatly desire. Translated “sore longedst” (Gen. 31:30); ‘desire’ (Job 14:15) & ‘greedy’ (Ps. 17:12 – reference to a lion being greedy for its prey). “Longing is written all over this Psalm.” (Kidner)
   2. ‘fainteth’ = to be complete, at an end, finished, spent. Used in Isaiah 15:6 for grass withering away. “The Psalmist describes his spirit as pining away with his great longing to be within the LORD’s presence. His words may reflect some crisis that is forestalling it.” (Ross)
   3. “crieth out” = a loud cry of lament.
   4. “my soul…my heart…my flesh” = the Psalmist yearns with his whole being. The ‘flesh’ is usually a hindrance to us getting to God’s house, but if your heart is passionately in it, your body will eventually be brought into line.
   5. Spurgeon: “Some need to be whipped to church, while here is David crying for it. He needed no clatter of bells from the belfry to ring him in, he carried his bell in his own bosom: holy appetite is a better call to worship than a full chime.”
   6. “living God” = title of God used 30 times in Scripture. The Psalmist’s love for God’s place is on account of God’s presence. It is not an empty love for a building but a full-hearted love for the true and living God. He is preoccupied with God Himself.
   7. We understand there are clear distinctions between the O.T. temple and the N.T. church. The N.T. church is a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5), so it is not primarily about a physical building. But it is described as the “household of God”, a “holy temple in the Lord” (1 Cor. 3:17) and “an habitation of God through the Spirit” in Eph. 2:19-22. In 1 Tim. 3:15 it is described as “the church (assembly) of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

The Illustration of his Desire (Vs. 3-4)

The Psalmist expresses his longing by describing the blessedness of those who have the privilege of remaining in the sanctuary.

1. The nesting sparrow & swallow (Vs. 3)
   1. This verse presents a beautiful picture. These birds instinctively know that the house of God is a safe place for their nests. They enjoy the safety and security of being close to the presence of God.
   2. Note: Build your family nest in the house of God!
2. The serving saint (Vs. 4)
   1. The priests and other ministers remained there for periods of time when it was their turn to serve in Jerusalem. The singers and musicians were housed there to be available for any services.
   2. Challenge: You need to stay faithful to your New Testament Church if you are going to really grow and go forward in your Christian life.
3. Ross: “All of these the Psalmist envies – to be resident in the sanctuary, spending their time there praising the LORD, and enjoying it as a place of safety and blessing. He would love to be there all the time.”

Observe secondly…

The Determination for God’s House (Vs. 5-9)

These verses reveal that the Psalmist has in mind a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to visit the temple. Some wonderful principles apply to us as we pursue the presence of God in our Christian lives. This is a passionate desire that turns into determined action. The Psalmist is…

Strengthened for the Journey (Vs. 5)

1. ‘blessed’ = how blessed we are to be able to draw our strength from our God.
2. “strength is in thee” = God is the source of the pilgrim’s strength for the journey.

Separated for the Journey (Vs. 5b)

1. “in whose heart are the ways” = the ‘ways’ are a reference to the roads, highways or public ways of travel. The Hebrew word is most frequently translated ‘highways’ (20 times) (E.g., Jdg. 20:31, 32, 45, 21:19, 1 Sam. 6:12, 2 Sam. 20:12). Also translated ‘courses’ (Jdg. 5:20) ‘causeway’ (1 Chr. 26:18), ‘paths’ (Is. 59:7, Jol. 2:8) Delitzsch notes they refer to the pilgrim roads and their various stopping places that the faithful had to consider for their journey.
2. Proverbs 16:17 “The highway (same word) of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.”
3. The highways were in their hearts. We are reminded of the importance of the heart (See Prov. 4:23). The heart of it all is the condition of the heart! If you have a heart for God’s ways, you will walk in God’s ways. One of those highways will lead you to God’s house!
4. Pictures the believer’s separated, pilgrim life. The world is not our home. Our hearts are set on the pilgrimage. Our heart is not bound up in this world and the things of this life. We are on our way to the celestial city! We are on the highways of holiness!
5. Watch out for the devil’s detours, the serpent’s streets, Lucifer’s lanes that lead away from the highways of holiness! Watch out for Hell’s Highway, Devil’s Drive, Carnality Court, Calvin’s Cul De Sac and Compromise Circuit. Beware of Rebels Road, Arrogance Avenue, The Iniquity Interstate, The Internet Interchange, Backsliders Boulevard and Bitterness Bridge. Stay away from Lust Lane, Temptation Terrace, Porn Parade, Social Media Street and Wickedness Way. Don’t take the exit to Error Expressway, Misconduct Motorway and Freelancers Freeway.

Sustained in the Journey (Vs. 6)

1. The sufferings from God we encounter (Vs. 6a)
   1. “who passing through the valley” = there are valleys we encounter along the way in our Christian journey.
   2. “valley of Baca” = a specific valley in Palestine that was known to be difficult for pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem for the feast days. The word ‘Baca’ is from the root word ‘weeping’. It is also closely related to the Hebrew word translated “mulberry trees” in 2 Sam. 5:23-24. Apparently, these trees typically grow in dry places. So, the valley of Baca represents a dry, difficult place on the journey. A place of trial and hardship, a place of weeping and yet at the same time a place of sustaining and enabling.
2. The supply from God we experience (Vs. 6b)
   1. “make it a well” = this is our part. In times of trial, we need to learn to dig wells into the supply of God’s grace.
   2. “the rain also filleth the pools” = this is God’s part. He is the one who sends the refreshing rains of His grace and blessing upon our dry and weary hearts. Water is a type of the Holy Spirit in Scripture (John 7:37-39) and the Word of God (Eph. 5:26). God provides wellsprings, an oasis in hard places of sorrow.
   3. Illustration: Paul’s prison Epistles

Sanctified in the Journey (Vs. 7)

1. “they go from strength to strength” = the Psalmist commenced this section, pronouncing a blessing upon those who have their strength in God (Vs. 5). We grow as we advance in the Christian life. As we pass through the valleys God has for us, and respond correctly to them by drawing on God’s supply of grace, we come out the other side stronger in spirit and stronger in our walk with him.
   1. The picture here is one of progress and growth. It is similar to the language in 2 Cor. 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
   2. It is a wonderful thing to see believers going from strength to strength in their walk with Christ. It is a grief to see some growing weaker, not stronger. As a church, our desire should be to go from strength to strength!
2. “every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” = the destination realized. Upon arrival in Zion, the pilgrim has the joy of standing in the presence of God. That is the endpoint, the culmination and climax of the journey!

Supplications on the Journey (Vs. 8-9)

1. This verse contains “common expressions for the suppliant. The prayer is for the powerful God to intercede.” (Ross) Prayer is a tremendous resource we have for the journey!
2. “thine anointed” = likely a reference to the king of Israel who was the defender of the nation. The phrases ‘behold’ and “look upon” speak of seeking Divine favour. “…LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” (Psalm 4:6) Prophetically, it speaks of Christ, who is God’s Messiah (Anointed One). The Father looks with pleasure on His Son, His anointed One. Acceptance before God is therefore only found in Christ. “God sees my Saviour and then He sees me, in the Beloved, accepted and free.”

Observe thirdly…

The Delights of God’s House (Vs. 10-12)

Having arrived in God’s house, the pilgrim now enjoys the blessings of God’s house as follows:

The Blessing of God’s Presence (Vs. 10)

The Psalmist extols the exceeding excellence and value of God’s house with two comparisons:

1. The comparison of days – days in God’s house vs days outside of God’s house (Vs. 10a)
   1. The highest value is placed upon time spent in the house of God. One day in God’s house is more valuable than a thousand days spent in other activities! It is a dramatic and impactful way of saying there is no comparison!
   2. Spurgeon: “Of course, the Psalmist means a thousand days spent elsewhere. Under the most favourable circumstances in which earth’s pleasures can be enjoyed, they are not comparable by so much as one in a thousand to the delights of the service of God. To feel his love, to rejoice in the person of the anointed Saviour, to survey the promises and feel the power of the Holy Ghost in applying precious truth to the soul, is a joy which worldlings cannot understand, but which true believers are ravished with. Even a glimpse at the love of God is better than ages spent in the pleasures of sense.”
2. The comparison of a doorkeeper – duties in God’s house vs defilements outside of God’s house (Vs. 10b)
   1. ‘doorkeeper’ = someone who had the duty of taking care of the gates of the temple (e.g. opening and closing, ensuring smooth passage for the worshippers).
   2. “tents of wickedness” = note the contrast between “house” and “tents”. God’s house represents that which is permanent, stable and enduring. The tents of wickedness represent the world, which is fading and passing away (1 Cor. 7:31, 1 Jn. 2:17). God gives lasting joy and peace; the pleasures of sin are only temporary (Heb. 11:25).
   3. Spurgeon: “The lowest station in connection with the Lord’s house is better than the highest position among the godless. Only to wait at his threshold and peep within, so as to see Jesus, is bliss. To bear burdens and open doors for the Lord is more honour than to reign among the wicked. Every man has his choice, and this is ours. God’s worst is better than the devil’s best. God’s doorstep is a happier rest than downy couches within the pavilions of royal sinners, though we might lie there for a lifetime of luxury.”

The Blessing of God’s Person (Vs. 11)

1. The Goodness of God (Vs. 11a)
   1. God is a sun – God is the source of our light, life, warmth and power. He lights up our lives with His love! By the Word of God, the redeemed can see the Sun even in the darkest night of this world.
   2. God is a shield – God is our defender and protector. He is called a ‘shield’ twice in this Psalm (Vs. 9, 11). We need a shield because we have a fierce enemy who wants to destroy us!
   3. The Lord God is the author of all joy and goodness to his children and their protector against all evils.
2. The Gifts of God (Vs. 11b)
   Our God is a giving God!
   1. He gives grace. One of only two references to grace in the Psalms. The other one is in reference to the Messiah (Psalm 45:2). It appears frequently elsewhere in the Old Testament, translated primarily as ‘grace’ and ‘favour’. Also ‘gracious’ (Prov. 11:16, Ecc. 10:12), ‘precious’ (Prov. 17:8), ‘wellfavoured’ (Num. 3:4) God is called “the God of all grace” (1 Pt. 5:10) (See also 2 Cor. 9:8 & 12:9). The word Grace is one of the most precious words in all human language. It is the Gospel summed up in one Word.
      1. There is grace for salvation.
      2. There is grace for sanctification.
      3. There is grace for service.
   2. He gives glory. The word refers to kingly splendour, wealth and power. Much of this will be fulfilled in the future when we are ‘glorified’ and rewarded at the Bema Seat for faithful service. “God will give grace along the way and glory at the end when He welcomes us home” (Macdonald).
   3. He gives good things.
      1. The promise – “no good thing”. Look at the scope of that promise! If there is something truly good for you, God will not withhold it from you.
      2. The condition – “walk uprightly”. The word means complete, blameless, without fault, free of blemish, honest, devout. Same Hebrew word translated multiple times as ‘perfect’, “without blemish” and “without spot” (in reference to offerings). Also “sincerity”, “upright”, “undefiled” and “whole”. God blesses those who follow Him wholeheartedly. He bestows good things on those who walk in His ways. Think of what blessings you will forfeit if you choose to walk ‘unrighteously’! What blessings I would have missed if I had followed my sinful lusts as a 15-year-old (personal testimony).

The Blessing upon God’s People (Vs. 12)

Conclusion

What is most precious to you in your life? God and God’s House or the temporary, vain things of this world? Are you seeking the Lord passionately in your life? Are you digging wells in your trials and trusting in God’s supply?

Sermon 27 in Heaven’s Hymnbook (the Psalms)

Sermon Audio Id: 112125751206153