I Will Dwell (Psalm 84)

Charles Spurgeon said Psalm 84 is worthy "to be called The Pearl of Psalms. If the twenty-third be the most popular, the one-hundred-and-third the most joyful, the one-hundred-and-nineteenth the most deeply experiential, the fifty-first the most plaintive, this is one of the most sweet of the Psalms of Peace."

 

This Psalm is especially sweet to me. It was written by the Sons of Korah, who, in the time of David, were most likely the chief musicians in the temple for the public worship of God. The language the Psalmist uses is that of deep longing. He says his soul "faints for the courts of the LORD." There is no doubt that his greatest desire was to be in the presence of God. This resonates with me on a deep level. Even though countless distractions daily try to pull my focus away from God, my soul knows that He alone is where I find satisfaction, peace, and true joy. I have tasted and seen his goodness, and I also ache with longing to be in the courts of the Lord. 

 

He says, "Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God" (v 3). The sparrow is known to be a bird of little significance, and the swallow one of the most restless birds. Like those birds, we can find peace, rest, security, and significance in God's house. 

 

The Psalmist not only found strength in God during hard times, but it says that in the "valley of Baca" (known to be a place of weeping), the one whose strength is in God goes from "strength to strength." There are times in my life when I enjoy the sweetness of God's presence and other times when I desperately cling to him for strength to keep going. I find it comforting that you see both in this Psalm. 

 

He then says that "each one appears before God in Zion." We are all on a journey in this life, and there are mountains and valleys. But our journey as believers leads to a glorious destination where we will be physically in God's house forever, basking in His glorious splendor and joyfully singing His praise! 

 

The last few verses of the Psalm speak of how much better it is to spend time with God than anywhere else. The Psalmist says in verse 10, "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." No single place, person, or experience this world can offer compares to a moment with God. 

 

It is also clear from verses 11 and 12 that God does not withhold anything from those who walk uprightly. He generously blesses us with every good thing. His goodness is overwhelming! 

 

As you listen to "I Will Dwell (Psalm 84)". I pray that you, too, can know and experience God for the treasure that He is. May we all find everything that we need and more in His presence.