Daily Devotion of Psalm 84

Daily Nugget:
"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10

At the time of Psalm 84, there were still tabernacles (vs. 1: perhaps it was plural because as one tabernacle was in disrepair, it was repaired or replaced. It could have also been referring to the places of reflection built during the Feast of the Tabernacles). The temple must have existed at the time; perhaps it was being constructed as it had become a home (vs. 3) for nesting sparrows.

For the Jew, the tabernacle or temple was where they met God. Those places were where He visited His people. It was also where Israel could be physically closer to God. Because of the nearness of their God, it was a special place.

The writer declares it was a friendly place (vs. 1 — “amiable”). He was overwhelmed (vs. 2) to be where God had been, and where His commandments were obeyed. He envied the sparrows that built their nest amongst the structures and lived near God. He even felt those dedicated to service for the Lord and dwelt amongst (vs. 4) the buildings were also fortunate. The Psalm writer realized it was a blessed place (vss. 4-7).

Today we do not have a physical building where God dwells. The Spirit of God does live in every believer. We are the Temple of the living God, and we should be as excited and encouraged as was the writer of Psalm 84 when he was in the Temple.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” I Cor. 3:16-17
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” II Cor. 6:16-18 Also: Ephesians 2:21-22, Hebrews 3:6, I Peter 2:5.

Think about it for a minute! Selah! The Holy Spirit of God lives inside of you, Christian. He loves you so much that He does not want to live far away from you. He has chosen to live inside of you!

With that closeness of God should come special excitement as the Psalm writer experienced. However, with the nearness of our God, we should make sure our “Temple” is swept clean of dirty sin that God hates. It is good to be so close to God, but it comes with an awesome responsibility to be far from sin and obedient to what a Holy God expects of us.

Today’s Thought: 
“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:16

Words to Understand:
Amiable: pleasing; friendly
Baca, valley of: a valley near Jerusalem
Gittith: a musical instrument played in Gath or an indication that this hymn should be sung to the tune of another popular song
Korah, sons of: sons of Moses’ cousin, Korah, who were singers

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 84 
1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 ¶ O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.