Longing for the House of God

"Longing for the House of God" - Psalm 84:1-10 It is to be thought that he exhales (expels, emanates, gives off) the Davidic perfume (David); the fragrance of the aromatic herbs of the mountain and the lonely and deserted places in which King David had to reside (live) frequently during "his many wars" is released from him. This sacred poetry is one of the finest in the collection; it is surrounded by a gentle radiance (illumination) which has caused it to be called "The Pearl of Psalms."

I. This Psalm is the sweetest of the "Psalms of Peace."

A. How pleasant are Your dwellings!

1. Here the trumpet of the gospel is sounded, and its joyful echoes are heard, and all the believers sing songs of love and grace; moreover, what makes these dwellings more delightful, "is the presence of God in them," so that they are none other than the house of God, the gate of Heaven, the "provisions" here treasured, and "the company that rejoices in them."

2. "My heart and my flesh sing to the living God."

3. The psalmist declared that it is impossible for him not to express his desires, so he begins to proclaim his longing, for God and for His house; he weeps, sighs, and pleads for privilege (advantage, special right, or access that others do not enjoy).

4. Some have to be dragged into the church, while David is crying out for it.

5. He did not need bells to ring from the steeple to induce him to go to church; "He carried the bell" on his "own breast".

6. The holy appetite is a better call to worship than the call of the bells. C.H.S.

7. Long for!

8. Intensely.

9. This word ("shout" in the original) comes from "Ramag", which means to utter highpitched screams (they occupy the ranges beyond audible spectrum; range = series of elements that are part of the same category or class; spectrum = (band, ghost series) in a loud voice, such as soldiers at the beginning of the battle: "Forward, forward!"; or when they shout after the battle is won!: "Victory, victory, victory!

10. The Hebrew word denotes a resounding (loud) cry like that of a child crying because he is hungry, when this happens it is the whole child who cries: the hands, the face, the feet cry. Thomas Brooks.

11. (3) Even the sparrow has found a home.

12. This "tender care of God" for the least of His creatures is mentioned here in an exciting way.

13. Sparrows enjoy "the rich provisions of His "tender care"; God forethought," in all the things that they will have need of (as equals) "but there is no fellowship between them and the great Giver."

14. From this, "my soul," you can learn a useful lesson.

15. Never be satisfied merely by frequenting these places or having certain privileges there, "but arise" in spirit and seek and enjoy direct communion with the living God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

16. (4) Perpetually praise Thee, they that dwell in Thy house.

17. Communion is the mother of worship.

18. Those who turn away from Him cease to praise Him, but those who are in Him are "always" magnifying His name. C.H.S.

19. Their "hearts" are full of heaven, and their consciences are full of consolation, those who do not seek Him lack heaven in them, there is no communion with God, they cannot worship.

20. There can be nothing but music in the temple of the Holy Spirit. John Trapp

21. (5) Blessed is the man who has his strength in Thee.

22. For those who are thinking about "other things" it will not be "pleasant or profitable" to pray; neither "praising" nor hearing the "Word."

23. A group of pilgrims (missionaries, brothers) who would have left "their hearts at home" (like many, it is only presumed) would be no better than a caravan of corpses; (I know many) completely unfit to be with living saints and worship a living God." C.H.S.

24. I know of "many dead" who pretend to have life but have only thought of themselves.

25. At whose heart are Your ways.

26. The heart in its natural state is a desert without roads, full of precipices and ravines.

27. When the heart is renewed by grace, a path is made and a path is prepared for our God.

28. (7) They will see God in Zion.

29. So, it will be with each of the true spiritual pilgrims.

30. The grace of God will always be seen to be sufficient to preserve them safe and spotless until His heavenly kingdom of glory: tribulations have brought them down, temptations will not overcome them, "spiritual enemies will not destroy them."

31. They are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, which is to be remembered at the end of time.

32. (10) For one day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside of them.

33. Than to dwell in the dwellings of iniquity.

34. Each one must make their own decision and choose.

35. The threshold stone is the passage, entrance to the place of the house of my God, than to be in soft beds of sinful magnates.

36. Another sign of the Son of God is to delight in being in the presence of God for a long time.

37. Children are to be in the presence (of the Father) of their father; where the king is present, there is the court; where God is present, "there is Heaven". Amen