Psalms 84 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
John R. W. Stott lays out an easy-to-follow outline of this Psalm in his small book Favorite Psalms. Verses 1-7 is the blessedness of others and 8-12 is A personal prayer. Derek Kidner in the Tyndale Series has 1-4 Distant home; 5-8 Eager journey; 9-12 Radiant Presence. Sometimes, outlines can be divided by different markers in the text. One sees a repeated word that begins a section. Other times you can divide the section by the subject of the section. Some changes in topics are clearly seen. However one arrives at these sections, they should help you understand the Scriptures better and should be based on careful observation. Anyone can do create an outline for a Psalm, a number of chapters, or the entire book.
In this psalm, the easiest outline of the two is clearly Stott which may be easier for your listeners if you are teaching. But the advantage of Kidner is how he keys on Selah and Blessed. At the end of verse 4, see Selah and at the beginning of verse 4 notice blessed. Then verse 5 begins with blessed and verse 8 ends with Selah. Then 9-12 ends with the word blessed. An additional reason to favor Kidner is the reader can go back and see his division next time one reads the passage. Regarding selah, scholars’ best guess is that it may mean pause. But like the superscription it is hard to determine the exact meaning, but it is considered inspired Scripture.
This is an expressive and emotional psalm where the author longs for the presence of God. Admittedly there is some disconnect with the one temple and the many churches we enjoy in the world. But the temple and God’s presence are distinguished but not separated. This fervent desire to be near God is rather dissimilar to our lack of enthusiasm for attending worship. At least for some of us and certainly at sometimes for all of us.
Public worship is longing to be near God but also near God’s people. Does the author envy birds that nest on the temple grounds? He is so thankful for the priests who are involved with worship daily. In the next section, either this is a literal pilgrimage or hypothetical? Whatever the case, these are people who are anxious to be near God.
In vs. 9-12, we read the well-known verse, “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.” How true this is. This is the expressed desire of every believer: to be near God. This is also the heart of the covenant. Expressed as “I will be your (or their) God” (Gen 17:8; Jer. 31:33-34; 32:38, etc.). Or as the Psalmist in 73 asks, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. . . . But for me it is good to be near God” (vs. 25, 28).
This nearness to God is within the grasps of everyone. We can all draw near to God every day and every moment of each day. The nearness of God is not for super saints (as if there is such a thing) but for every believer. Growing closer to God and stiring up your zeal for God must be your lifelong passion. If you do not love God with all your heart, all your strength, all you mind, all your soul, you will be drawn to something or someone else. In fact, it could be happening to you. There are so many things to be attracted to in this life. But your calling is to love God.
If you have never travelled to a poor country, you may not realize how much comfort, ease, and security you are surrounded with. These accruements can be a blessing that allows you to draw near to God. Or you end up polishing, cleaning, repairing, and thinking about all your things. Use all these things: central heat, electricity, indoor plumbing for the glory of God to pursue Him. You have the same 24 hours as anyone else.
Cultivate these spiritual longings in your heart. Tend to that garden. Do not neglect your heart. Think about these Biblical authors. Do they seem happy to you? Think about times when you were caught up in sin? Happy times? Times of rejoicing? Those times never are. So beware of the things you secretly long for, things you dream about and want. And beware of what you are willing to do to get those things. Jeremiah is right, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer 17:9).
Father let our souls long for Your presence. We admit we are pulled in so many ways and none of them to You. And we admit that we feed our sinful desires. But our prayer is that Your kingdom would come and run right through our hearts. Set us ablaze in humble adoration, discovering again why we are here. Help us to long for heaven. May we live soli deo gloria everyday of our lives. Pour out to us Your overflowing, precious Holy Spirit so we are not just awash in emotions but full of the Spirit You send. May our minds, hearts, souls and strength be given to love Your Son Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.