Alright, if you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to Psalm 84.
We're going back to the Old Testament this morning.
And we'll also have it on the screen.
Psalm 84.
And I'm going to begin just by reading it through from start to finish,
and then we'll have some thoughts about it.
Psalm 84.
For the director of music, according to Gittith, of the sons of Korah, a psalm.
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young, a place near your altar.
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house.
They are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the valley of Bacca,
they make it a place of springs.
The autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.
Listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God.
Look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield.
The Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Do you long to be with God?
This ancient Hebrew song was written
well over 2,000 years ago.
Exactly who wrote it
and what it sounded like
and when it was sung.
It's lost to us today.
But the cry of this song,
the desire,
the feeling of this song
captures so well
what many of us still feel today.
The sons of Korah,
to which this song is attributed,
they were singers and musicians
who contributed to the worship
in the temple of Yahweh,
the temple of the Lord.
And even though the circumstances
of this song are lost to us today,
the words of the song
paint a picture for us
of someone who has found
the greatest of joys
in the presence of God.
Things were very different
back then in Israel.
Today, those of us
who belong to Christ
can easily take this for granted.
How did God live
with his people
in those days?
Well, if we go back and read
through the Old Testament,
we see that it was
at the temple in Jerusalem
that God chose
to put his presence
among his people
in a special way.
It was there at the temple
in Jerusalem
that God lived
among them.
It was there that the sacrifices
were offered to the Lord
on the bronze altar.
It was there that
God's Ark of the Covenant
came to rest
behind the curtain
in the most holy place.
And of course,
God is everywhere
at all times,
in all places,
but this was the place
where he made his presence
specially felt
and his power known
and his glory to be seen.
Three times a year,
God required the Israelites
to celebrate
all who were able to
to celebrate
special festivals
or feasts.
There was the festival
of unleavened bread
which coincided
with the Passover.
There was the festival
of harvest
later known as Pentecost.
And there was the festival
of ingathering
which was also known
as the feast of tabernacles
or booths.
Now, we're not going to get
into all the details
of these festivals
this morning.
The point of them
was to meet with God,
to worship God,
to bring sacrifices
and offerings to God.
These were occasions
for great celebration.
The people would remember
God's great salvation
from slavery in Egypt
at Passover.
And they were to thank God
and to bring offerings
to Him
as a token of their praise
and thanksgiving
for His gracious provision
at harvest
in the fall festivals.
And everyone who was able
from all over Israel
was to come together.
And it wasn't just about
reconnecting with
old friends
and acquaintances
from faraway places,
though that did happen.
It was to come
and meet with God
was the purpose.
to worship the Lord Himself
in His temple.
And so three times a year
in Israel,
all roads led to Jerusalem
and the roads were busy.
They were filled with travelers
making their way
to the one and only
temple
of the God
who created
the heavens
and the earth.
the God
who set His love
on Jacob
and His descendants.
These are some of the facts
that undergird
this song
that we're looking at
this morning.
These facts make it
understandable
to us today.
But it's the song itself
that gives us
the feeling
of what it was like
for people
in the midst of this
in those days.
The first four verses
of this song
express the longing
of the songwriter
to be in those
temple courts
again.
How lovely
is your dwelling place
Lord Almighty.
My soul yearns
even faints
for the courts
of the Lord.
My heart
and my flesh
cry out
for the living God.
The language here
is the language
of the heart.
The songwriter
longs to be
in that place
where the Lord
dwells.
In the courts
of the temple
which surround
that place
where God
has chosen
to live
among His people.
And the desire
is strong.
It says
my soul
yearns
even
faints
with longing.
My desire
is to get there
and I want it
so much
it's like
it wears me out.
I faint for it.
And it's not
just to be
at the big party
with all the people.
It's not just
because the temple
is quite the sight
to see
with its
wonderful architecture
and golden overlay.
No,
the reason
He wants
to be there
is because
God
is there.
He says
my soul
yearns
even faints
for the courts
of the Lord.
My heart
and my flesh
cry out
for the living God.
it's
you God
my heart
desires.
I want to be
in your presence.
At this point
the son of Korah
who wrote this
seems to
reflect on
previous times
when he was
there
at the temple.
He remembers
seeing
the birds
flying about
and he
notices
or remembers
noticing
that the birds
had built
nests in and around
the temple area.
Even the sparrow
has found a home
and the swallow
a nest for herself
where she may
have her young.
A place
near
your altar
Lord Almighty
my King
and my God.
Now it's difficult
all these years later
with the
time gap
and the translation
gap to know
just what he means
by all this
about the birds
nesting near the altar.
Different things
have been suggested
is it that
the birds
though
lowly creatures
that even they
know intuitively
how good it is
to be near God?
Or is it that
they recognize
the peace
and the safety
of this place
the temple
where God lives?
Is it that
the songwriter
wishes that
he himself
had wings
with which
to fly
to this place
and the opportunity
that the birds
have to make
his own home
right there
near the presence
of God?
Whatever the case
he makes clear
his heart's feeling
in verse 4
he says
blessed are those
who dwell
in your house
they are ever
praising you
like that would be
the ultimate place
to live
he says
right there
in the house
of the Lord
in the temple
to be able
to worship
you continually
God
day after day
and not just
for one week
and then go
all the way
back home
oh happy
blessed
is the one
who gets to
live in your
presence always
says the psalmist
if only
so what does
the psalmist
do?
he does
what almost
everyone else
in Israel
had to do
he packs
his bags
he makes
his provisions
ready
and he goes
on the journey
from wherever
he lives
when the
appointed times
draw near
the next
three verses
verse 5
to 7
poetically
describe the
journey
the pilgrimage
that most
must make
three times
a year
blessed
are those
whose strength
is in you
whose hearts
are set
on pilgrimage
as they
pass through
the valley
of Bacca
they make
it a place
of springs
the autumn
rains
also cover
it with
pools
they go
from strength
to strength
till each
appears
before God
in Zion
so there's
a blessing
from God
for those
who choose
to make
the Lord
their strength
and set
out on
this journey
to meet
with God
and worship
him in his
holy temple
and this
journey is
not easy
it requires
strength
to get
there
the valley
of Bacca
is thought
by most
to refer
to a dry
and dusty
valley
where not
much grows
but the
picture here
is beautiful
as the
people
travel together
and are
joined by
others
from the
towns
and the
communities
all around
they bring
life
even to
the dusty
valley
of Bacca
you can
almost
picture it
in your
mind
a parched
cracked
ground
where only
a few
hardy
shrubs
managed to
eke out
their existence
and where
no one
lives
but then
suddenly
out of
nowhere
this joyful
procession
of people
burst forth
bringing life
to the whole
area
just like
springs
of water
would
or autumn
rains
would
transforming
this place
into an
oasis
as they
go by
you can
hear the
sound of
singing
and the
excitement
and the
bustle
people all
eager to
go up
to Jerusalem
to the
temple
to meet
with God
he says
they go
from strength
to strength
till each
appears
before God
in Zion
so there's
something special
about this
for those
of you
who have
good
strong
loving
relationships
with family
that's living
far away
isn't it
wonderful
to be
reunited
with them
on special
occasions
perhaps
even at
Christmas time
well we
imagine that
this procession
on the roads
is something
like that
times
10,000
people all
over
coming together
streaming
into the
main roads
and all
for one
purpose
to go up
to Jerusalem
and worship
God
did they sing
along the road
well it doesn't
say for sure
but most likely
they did
and probably
this was
one of the
songs that
they used
and as they
get closer
and closer
to the place
where they
can finally
be in the
presence of
God again
in his
temple
they go from
strength
to strength
suddenly the
weariness
and the
heaviness of
life that was
there before
all this
lifts away
or melts
away
there's
new
vigor
in the
bones
there's
a new
spring
in the
step
there's
a
lightness
there's
a joy
in the
heart
and it
just keeps
building
and increasing
until each
one appears
in those
temple courts
before God
in Zion
so it's not
an easy
journey
at the
start
and it
even brings
you down
into the
valley
from there
it requires
even more
to climb
up to
the mountain
Mount Zion
but the
closer we
get to
God
the stronger
we feel
the stronger
we are
verses 8
and 9
are a
prayer to
God
in the
midst of
this
he asked
the Lord
to listen
and then
he prays
and asks
God to
bless the
anointed
one
that would
be the
God's
chosen
king
of Israel
whoever it
was
in the
days
that this
was sung
and then
the song
continues
with a
sort of
reveling
in the
moment
a deep
enjoyment
of being
here at
the temple
in the
presence
of God
in verse
10
he says
better is
one day
in your
courts
than
thousands
elsewhere
I'd
rather be
a
door
keeper
in the
house
of my
God
than
dwell
in the
tents
of the
wicked
for the
Lord God
is a
sun
and shield
the Lord
bestows
favor and
honor
no good
thing
does he
withhold
from those
whose walk
is blameless
what do you
think
do you think
that the
guy who
wrote this
song
really met
with God
when he
went up
to the
temple
or was
he
disappointed
far from
disappointment
he says
I would
rather be
here in
your temple
courts
for one
day
than be
anywhere else
for a
thousand
that's how
precious
that's how
wonderful it
was for him
to be in
God's
presence
to know
that
nearness
to God
and he
pulls in
metaphor
to describe
what God
is like
to him
here
in this
place
God is
to me
here and
now
like the
sun
like the
sun is
to a
man
living in
the
darkness
this should
really speak
to our
hearts
at this
time of
year
we're about
four days
away from
the shortest
day of
the year
and I
don't know
about you
but I
already find
myself
just
yearning
for that
sun to
come up
in the
mornings
look it's
eight o'clock
already
where is
it
what a
difference
it makes
when all
of a sudden
it rises
and the
whole world
is lit up
by it
and we
feel the
warmth
God makes
a similar
level of
difference
to us
when we
see him
in his
glory
when we
draw near
him
when we
feel the
warmth of
his presence
in this
cold
dark world
he's like
a sun
to us
he's also
like a
shield
to his
people
says the
psalmist
do you need
a shield
right now
with some
of the
things that
you're going
through in
your life
and there's
more
he says
the Lord
bestows
favor
and honor
he gives
he shows
his kindness
he lifts
us up
and blesses
us even
though we
don't deserve
it
no good
thing does
he withhold
from those
whose walk
is blameless
so for those
who on the
on the whole
are seeking
by faith
to live
the way
that God
has asked
to honor
him
to live
rightly
before him
he withholds
nothing
good
he's
absolutely
willing
he's
absolutely
eager
to give
all good
things
to those
who walk
by faith
rightly
before him
the song
closes with
this
Lord
almighty
blessed
is the
one
who
trusts
in
you
this
song
is
really
amazing
it
touches
us
it speaks
to us
it calls
to us
it applies
to us
in so
many
different
ways
I was
confounded
this week
just trying
to bring
them all
together
first and
foremost
this psalm
asks us
this very
personal
question
do you
long
to be
with
God
do you
desire
his
presence
and more
do you
long
to be
with him
like
this
with a
passion
is there
a deep
yearning
in your
soul
for him
this is
what God
asks
of us
here
do you
long
to be
with
God
does
your
heart
cry
out
for
him
around
this
time
of
year
as we
reflect
on
the
birth
of
Christ
I
couldn't
help
but
think
of
the
words
of
Isaiah
he
said
God
is
a
son
God
is
a
son
and
a
shield
what
did
Isaiah
say
he
said
the
people
walking
in
darkness
have
seen
a
great
light
on
those
living
in
the
land
of
deep
darkness
a
light
has
dawned
for
to
us
a
child
is
born
to
us
a
son
is
given
long
after
this
God
was
planning
something
special
he
was
planning
to
shine
into
our
world
like
never
before
just
like
the
son
does
through
his
own
son
to
be
born
as
we've
been
learning
with
the
kids
the
true
light
that
gives
light
to
everyone
was
coming
into
the
world
John
1
9
Jesus
is
the
ultimate
expression
of
this
truth
that
God
is
a
son
to
his
people
and
there's
more
what
is
this
psalm
all
about
it's
about
people
longing
for
God's
presence
it's
about
a
deep
yearning
of
the
soul
to
be
near
God
to
be
with
God
and
as
we
reflect
on
this
truth
some
of
the
words
of
Matthew
come
to
mind
Matthew
chapter
1
when
the
angel
of
the
Lord
appears
to
Joseph
in
a
dream
he
says
Joseph
son
of
David
do
not
be
afraid
to
take
Mary
home
as
your
wife
because
what
is
conceived
in
her
is
from
the
Holy
Spirit
she
will
give
birth
to
a
son
and
you
are
to
give
him
the
name
Jesus
because
he
will
save
his
people
from
their
sins
all
this
took
place
to
fulfill
what
the
Lord
had
said
through
the
prophet
the
virgin
will
conceive
and
give
birth
to
a
son
and
they
will
call
him
Emmanuel
which
means
God
with
us
God
with
us
could
it
be
that
God
would
do
a
new
thing
instead
of
us
making
that
journey
to
the
place
where
he
is
he
now
comes
to
us
the
word
became
flesh
and
made
his
dwelling
among
us
we
have
seen
his
glory
the
glory
of
the
one
and
only
son
from
the
father
full
of
grace
truth
but
what
about
the
temple
what
about
the
pilgrimage
three
times
a
year
to
be
in
the
presence
of
God
hear
the
words
of
Jesus
himself
to
the
Samaritan
woman
at
the
well
she
said
to
Jesus
I
can
see
that
you
are
a
prophet
our
ancestors
worship
our
ancestors
worshiped
on
this
mountain
but
you
Jews
claim
that
the
place
where
we
must
worship
is
in
Jerusalem
woman
Jesus
replied
believe
me
a
time
is
coming
when
you
will
worship
the
father
neither
on
this
mountain
nor
in
Jerusalem
you
Samaritans
worship
what you
do
not
know
we
worship
what
we
do
know
for
salvation
is
from
the
Jews
yet
a
time
is
coming
and
has
now
come
when
the
true
worshipers
will
worship
the
father
in
the
spirit
and
in
truth
for
they
are
the
kind
of
worshipers
the
father
seeks
God
is
spirit
and
his
worshipers
must
worship
in
the
spirit
and
in
truth
could
it
be
that
God
would
do
a
new
thing
instead
of
us
going
on
a
pilgrimage
to
Jerusalem
where
God
made
his
presence
felt
by
his
spirit
he
now
sends
his
spirit
to live
in
us
both
Jew
and
Gentile
wherever
we
are
enabling
us
to
worship
him
truly
wherever
we
live
wherever
we
are
the
apostle
Peter
on
the
day
of
Pentecost
after
Jesus
had
ascended
to
heaven
said
this
to
the
crowds
repent
and
be
baptized
every
one
of
you
in
the
name
of
Jesus
Christ
for
the
forgiveness
of
your
sins
and
you
will
receive
the
gift
of
the
Holy
Spirit
the
promise
is for
you
and
your
children
and
for
all
who
are
far
off
for
all
whom
the
Lord
our
God
will
call
the
gift
of
the
Holy
Spirit
God
in
us
with
us
is
for
you
and
for
all
who
are
far
off
this
is
the
wondrous
gift
of
God
he
has
sent
his
son
down
into
our
world
to
be
with
us
and
then
through
Jesus
his
son
he
later
sent
his
spirit
to
live
right
here
inside
of
us
no
more
do
we
have
to
pack
our
bags
and
make
our
provisions
ready
and
go
on a
pilgrimage
to
the
one
place
on
earth
where
God
dwelt
if
we
believe
in
Christ
God
comes
to
live
right
here
within
us
by
his
Holy
Spirit
wherever
we
are
what
did
Jesus
say
after
he
gave
the
great
commission
to
his
disciples
he
said
surely
I
am
with
you
always
to
the
very
end
of
the
age
so
this
is
good
news
this
is
something
that
we
can
celebrate
at
Christmas
God
is
with
us
the
one
born
in
Bethlehem
lives
in
us
and
we
in
him
and
yet
amazingly
there
is
still
something
so
true
about
these
words
in
Psalm
84
yes
God
is
with
us
yes
he
lives
in
us
but
there's
still
the
longing
for
a
fuller
enjoyment
of
his
presence
there's
still
a deep
yearning
for
the
end
when
Jesus
returns
for
the
consummation
of
all
things
when
we
will
be
in
the
courts
of
the
new
Jerusalem
when
we
shall
see
face
to
face
our
king
our
savior
Jesus
we
will
be
with
him
our
God
and
he
will
be
with
us
his
people
forever
more
John
Bunyan
had it
right
in
pilgrim's
progress
we
are
all
pilgrims
on a
pilgrimage
a
happy
and
blessed
pilgrimage
we
are
marching
to
Zion
beautiful
Zion
and
even
though
right
now
some
of
us
may
be
passing
through
the
valley
of
Bacca
we
journey
together
we
climb
upward
and
onward
God
helps
us
by
his
provision
and
we
go
from
strength
to
strength
till
each
of
us
shall
someday
appear
before
God
in
his
holy
city
for
us
today
this
psalm
isn't
a
longing
to
go
back
in
time
and
be
in
the
temple
courts
in
Jerusalem
for
us
today
because
of
Christ
our
Emmanuel
our
Savior
our
King
this
psalm
is
about
our
longing
for
the
courts
of
that
heavenly
city
the
new
Jerusalem
the
city
where
there
is
no
night
and
where
God
is
the
sun
and
the
shield
of
his
people
forever
better
is
one
day
in
that
place
than
a
thousand
anywhere
else
do you
long to
be with
God
like
that
to
dwell
in
his
house
in
his
city
forever
with
him
I
encourage
you
strengthen
your
heart
in
him
today
set
your
heart
on
pilgrimage
Jesus
the
truly
blameless
one
has
opened
the
way
for
us
so
that
no
good
thing
will
be
withheld
from
us
and
that
for
all
eternity
so
let
your
heart
cry
out
this
morning
to
the
living
God
long
for
him
desire
him
let's
pray
father
in
heaven
we
thank
you
that
you
did
a
new
thing
in
sending
your
son
Jesus
and
we
thank
you
that
the
end
of
this
story
you
have
made
known
to
us
and
we
thank
you
that
someday
we
shall
all
be
with
you
in
the
most
intimate
way
possible
face
to
face
we
long
for
that
Lord
I
pray
that
you
would
strengthen
those
of us
who
are
weary
that
you
would
give
us
that
help
that
provision
we
need
Lord
you
know
the
struggles
that
we're
facing
now
different
ones
of
us
in
different
areas
of
our
lives
meet
us
there
we
pray
and
carry
us
on
we
ask
this
in
Jesus
name
Amen