1. Psalm 84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place! Forest Hills Bible Chapel 15 June 2008

2. Background to Psalm 84 This is a Psalm which speaks of the wonder and blessedness of the house, or dwelling place, of God. Within Scripture, the dwelling place of God is both a physical, material structure, as well as a relationship which His people are to enjoy and cherish.

3. Background to Psalm 84 The Tabernacle in the Wilderness

4. Background to Psalm 84 The Temple of Solomon

5. The History of the Tabernacle/Temple The Tabernacle was built following the Exodus, according to God’s instruction – ca. 1400 B.C. The Temple was built by Solomon ca. 944 B.C. Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Temple was rebuilt in 516 B.C., and then destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70.

6. The History of the Tabernacle/Temple The Synagogue arose some time prior to the birth of Jesus. The Synagogue was a meeting place where all matters of Jewish life were practiced – weddings, funerals, education, prayer, worship, study of Torah, etc.

7. The History of the Tabernacle/Temple God’s dwelling place is, and indeed has always been, with and among His people. We are His body, and we are his building, and the temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 3:9; 12:12-20. We must balance the fact that we have a place/building where we meet as God’s people, and that we ourselves are the “church”, the dwelling place of God.

8. Other Historical Background The “Valley of Baca” (v. 6) – or the “Valley of Weeping”. “It is not known whether the valley of Baca in Psalm 84 was a literal place or a symbolic expression for grief or difficulty in life. For those who seek to follow in the Lord’s steps, the psalmist said, that valley becomes a pool of blessing and refreshment.” - BEB

9. Psalm 84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place! 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O L ORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the L ORD ; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 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, O L ORD Almighty, my King and my God

10. Psalm 84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place! 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

11. Psalm 84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place! 8 Hear my prayer, O L ORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah 9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 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.

12. Psalm 84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place! 11 For the L ORD God is a sun and shield; the L ORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O L ORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you

13. Psalm 84: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place! 1. The Psalmist exalts in being able to be in the dwelling place of God – vv. 1-4. 2. The Psalmist rejoices in how God blesses and strengthens those whose pilgrimage leads them to pursue God – vv. 5-8. 3. The Psalmist rejoices in the blessedness of being in the presence of God – vv. 9-12