Psalm 84 – a psalm of the sons of Korah

Longing For Temple Worship

This is a psalm from the sons of Korah. During the exodus Korah and the Levites under his leadership were envious of the sons of Aaron. Korah felt that people OTHER than the sons of Aaron should be allowed to be priests. Others were jealous of Moses’ position as national leader.

These two groups rebelled and God put them to the test by challenging them to burn incense. Only Aaron and sons were allowed to do this per the law. When Korah did this, he and his leaders were swallowed up by the earth and the 250 followers were burned up by fire from God. God has specifically chosen the sons of Aaron for this specific ceremonial act.

Centuries later the descendants of Korah restored respectability as they became gatekeepers, singers and musicians in the temple. They collected or wrote a number of psalms – this being one of them.

The psalm’s three Sections or Stanza’s

I. The longing and desire

II. The description of this type of man

III. Supplication and Declaration

Open your Bible and read verses 1-4 of Psalm 84

vv. 1-4

How lovely are thy dwelling places

a. whose dwelling place – Lord of Hosts

b. lovely – beautiful – pleasant – pleasing in a harmonious way – inspiring

c. the birds have made nests and found a home in the eaves of the temple

d. the altars have found a home in this dwelling place?

How does it make us feel?

a. we long, we yearn

b. our heart and flesh sing for joy

c. happy are those who dwell in thy house

d. we respond by praising Him

Do you have this type of spiritual desire? Or do you just show up at church because you 'feel you should'? Do you read your Bible just because you 'think it's something we should do?'

Now read verses 5-7

vv .5-7

How blessed is this man… which man?

a. whose strength is in God [ref. Ps 89:21]

b. whose heart reveals the path to Zion (God’s earthly dwelling place) [ref. De 5:29]

c. he goes from strength to strength [ref. Ps 92:12]

These men appear before God in Zion as the law demanded. [ref. Deu 16:16]

The psalmist pictures the journey that these men go through a dry valley on the way to Zion.

These men go through the Valley of Baca and see it transformed into one of water springs. This is a place-name meaning Balsam tree or weeping. This valley is a poetic play on words describing a person forced to go through a time of weeping who found God turned tears into a well, providing water.

Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” A promise brother and sister.

We see that out of trouble and despair can come blessing. Amen?

‘This man’ goes from strength to strength. [ref. Ps 92:12] The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. In Ps 1:3 we see, “And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields in fruit in season…”

Whose heart reveals the path to Zion (God’s earthly dwelling place) [ref. De 5:29] …these men have a heart that fears the Lord, that keeps all of His commandments so that it will be well with them AND their sons forever.

I want it to go well with my son’s and daughter’s families and generations, don’t you?

…Whose strength is in God… [ref. Ps 89:21] Is your strength in God or of your own making? King David’s strength was of the anointing of God and not his righteousness.

When we see someone who is spiritually strong in the Lord, we know they are going from strength to strength. They have been through this valley and God has strengthened them. You might find yourself in that valley, or somewhere on the trail out of the valley, or even at the valley of springs.

This journey of growing spiritual strength DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A VACCUUM. It happens because these men have visited the temple. They longed for it. They thirsted for God!

And finally, read verses 8-12

vv. 8-12

Vv. 8,9 - We ask, “God hear our prayer”. We pray for the king, the one whom you anointed to be the shield over us. The king is also dependant upon God. We pray that God’s blessing will be extended from Jesus, the king of kings, to the earthly king over us.

Vs. 10 – We declare the joy and thirst in our heart for the love of God’s House.

We so cherish and esteem the fellowship with God in His house that even one day would be a thousand times better than receiving public recognition or wealth. We would be happy with being the least servant in the house of God. This holds greater value than being outside the temple or Kingdom or His love and having all riches.

Do you feel that way? Do you prefer to dwell in the tents of wickedness?

Vs. 11 - We declare that God is a sun (or light) and a shield (from wickedness aimed at us).

Where does grace and glory come from? Only God. Do you seek it from other sources? Seek God.

How does God love us? He bestows good and perfect gift upon us. He doesn’t withhold any from us. These are for those who walk uprightly. Walking uprightly is walking with integrity.

in·teg·ri·ty n

1. the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards

2. the state of being complete or undivided (formal)

3. the state of being sound or undamaged (formal)

Vs. 12 – This ends in a summation – Blessed is the man who trusts in God!

Do you trust in God? Do you believe? Do you live all of your life trusting?

Do you only give part of your life in trust? What about the times of trouble? What about the times when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Let us all pray together the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. Our Father who art in heaven,…