Psalm 84 How Lovely is Your Tabernacle

Background To the chief musician upon Gittith (instrument of Gath) The sons of Korah – temple singers, doorkeepers of the temple ( 1 Chron. 6:31- 32, 9:19, 31 ) Psalm 84

Background Psalm 84 is a psalm of cherished worship and service to God. Descriptive of one who would rather worship God than engage in worldly pursuits Psalm 84

Longing for the tabernacle (1-4) (1) “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts” The place where God met with Israel ( Ex. 25:22, 29:42-43 ) A place holy and cherished by the righteous Psalm 84

Longing for the tabernacle (1-4) (1) In our text, probably the temple of Solomon ( cf. vs. 3 ) The psalmist was familiar with the temple, and was probably there frequently. As a son of Korah, he possibly worked there. To him it was not just a building, but THE HOUSE OF GOD! Psalm 84

Longing for the tabernacle (1-4) (2) “My soul longs…for the courts of the Lord.” An intense longing to be where God is. (3) “Even sparrows and swallows nest there” Psalm 84

Longing for the tabernacle (1-4) (4) “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house” How blessed are those privileged to be there all the time (to work there) Psalm 84

Application (1-4) The importance of assembly – Heb. 10:24-25 How many of us see the opportunity to worship as a blessing rather than a duty? Cf. Malachi 1:12-13

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (5) “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You” The character of the psalmist. God is his guide, i.e. the remnant. Psalm 84

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (5) “Whose heart is set on pilgrimage” NASU, “In whose heart are the highways to Zion!” KJV, “In whose heart are the ways of them.” Psalm 84

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (5) “Whose heart is set on pilgrimage” Three times a year, Israel met at the tabernacle/temple The more devout would anticipate it with excitement. Psalm 84

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (5) “Whose heart is set on pilgrimage” Figuratively: A heart set in the DIRECTION of God. Prov. 16:17, Isa. 40:2, (cf. Matt. 3:3, Jn. 1:23) Psalm 84

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (6) “As they pass through the Valley of Baca” (weeping) Figuratively: It could reference our wandering through life with disappointments, etc. Rain & spring – longing for the temple sustains them and keeps them going Psalm 84

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (7) “They go from strength to strength, each one appears before God in Zion” The assemblies are “strength”- between those times they are sustained by the strength gained while in God’s presence. Psalm 84

A heart for assembling in His presence (5-7) (7) “They go from strength to strength, each one appears before God in Zion” Proper (frequent) worship keeps them from straying The downfall of Israel and Judah involved neglect of the feasts – both in quality and quantity! Psalm 84

Application (5-7) Is frequency of assembly important to us? Do we WANT to be here? Consider: Why do we meet Wednesdays? Gospel meetings? To give us strength!

Application (5-7) If important, we will make preparations to be here as often as possible? Do we make excuses for not assembling? ( cf. Lk. 14: ) Do we have the attitude of this psalmist? Psalm 122:1, 84:4, Matt. 6:21

The value of assembly (8-12) (8-9) A prayer of the psalmist… Behold our shield, look upon the face of Your anointed An understanding of where the psalmist stands before God – HE protects & sustains! Psalm 84

The value of assembly (8-12) (10) A day in Your courts is better than a thousand What an attitude! Do we cherish the assembly with this desire? NOTE: It says, “day” and not “hour” Psalm 84

The value of assembly (8-12) (10) I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Better to be a lowly servant in God’s presence, than wealthy out of His presence! Psalm 84

The value of assembly (8-12) (11) For the Lord is a sun and shield – He gives grace & glory Realization – He is our source of life (and light) and protection! Rom. 8:31 NO wonder he desires to be in God’s presence! Psalm 84

The value of assembly (8-12) (11) NO good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly Conditional blessing: Hope rests in submitting to His will and seeking Him. Cf. Isaiah 55:6-7 Psalm 84

The value of assembly (8-12) (12) Blessed is the man who trusts in You Trust demonstrated by serving Him and assembling when He commands! Psalm 84

Application (8-12) Do we see worship as a drudgery? Will we let the world keep us from assembling? “WHY is the Lord not with me?” Could it be that He is not a priority in our lives? We are NOT walking uprightly?

Application (Psalm 84) We have made application to the importance of assembling as often as we can! How we assemble to worship is a “spiritual indicator” of our faith and priorities. Do you look forward to assembling with the saints?

Final application! There is an even greater “assembly” we ought to anticipate - Heaven! How much do we look forward to spending eternity with Him? Psalm 84

Do we long for the court of the Lord?