How Lovely are God’s Dwelling Places

How Lovely are God’s Dwelling Places
Psalm 84:1-12
March 9-10, 2024

In my opinion, Psalm 84 is one of the most beautiful of all of the Psalms. I love. It's one of my favorites. It is truly one of the great ones. Every word is beautiful. Every verse is filled with the depth of meaning. You could write an entire book on the truths found in this psalm. It is such a beautiful psalm. Now, in the introduction, it says, "For the choir director on the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah."

Now, a Gittith, was an instrument, interestingly, used by the Philistines in the area of Gath, which is why it's called the Gittith. David would've brought this instrument back with him. Remember that he lived amongst the Philistines there in his early years before he was king when he was on the run from Saul. David loved music and instruments. He loved that instrument, brought it with him. Now, the phrase, "A psalm of the sons of Korah," could also be translated, a psalm for the sons of Korah. See, in other words, David, very likely wrote this song and then gave it to the sons of Korah to put it to music and to be sung by the choir. Oh, what a song this would be. Absolutely glorious in every aspect because it is such a beautiful song.

Now, if David wrote this song, which again, we believe that he did, then we know what was happening in his life when he wrote it. During that time, David was going through perhaps maybe the greatest of David's troubles. It was during that time when his own son, Absalom had conspired against him. Now, so great was this conspiracy that the Scriptures say that Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel and that little by little the people came over to Absalom.

Then when Absalom felt that he had the strength, that he had won the people over to himself, that he had determined to bring the forces of Israel to bear against Jerusalem and to destroy David and to defeat him, and that Absalom would be the new king of Israel. Now, when David learned how deep this conspiracy had become and that Absalom had planned to bring the army of Israel to march against Jerusalem, he knew that the best course of action was to flee the city and to flee it quickly.

He wanted to spare the city and, of course, his own life. Tragically, sadly, David fled Jerusalem with only his servants and his most loyal special forces. He left Jerusalem, headed east, ascended the Mount of Olives. It says, weeping, covered with ashes. He headed east across the Jordan over to the other side. There is a desert area over there. He wrote this psalm from there, longing to return. Longing for, oh, to be again in the courts of the Lord.

There, across, on the other side, he was safe for the moment, but his heart was sick for Jerusalem. He was homesick. He longed and yearned for the courts of the Lord. I don't know if you've ever been homesick, but it is a very true, deep emotional feeling. Under the circumstances of such duress and trouble, the longing would even mean greater. Being homesick is a very strong feeling.

I don't know if you've ever really been homesick. I remember when the church was very young and we were doing a missions trip to Russia. It was three weeks long, and it was the longest that I had ever been away from my family. I was so lonely. I know. As the days and weeks went on, I'm getting lonelier and lonelier, longing for home. It got to the point that the last few days that I was there, I was taking their picture out of my wallet every hour it seemed.

That's how you looked at pictures in those days. You took it out of your wallet, but all the longing. David's longing is not just for Jerusalem, however. He longs for the dwelling places of the Lord. Now, this, it's beautiful in every aspect. David understood something that most people do not understand. David understood how lovely and how beautiful are the dwelling places of the Lord, God of Israel.

Psalm 27, which is perhaps one in David's greatest Psalms, he wrote this very thing when he said, "One thing I have asked from the Lord and that I shall seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in his temple." David understood how beautiful it is. Something happens there in the soul within him when he abides there in that lovely dwelling place in the courts of the Lord.

The Psalm is filled with that understanding of the beauty of the Lord and the blessings of those in whose heart is a highway to Zion. Beautiful poetic expression, oh my heart longs for Zion. Jerusalem sits on that hill. Oh, I long for that place, it's filled with promises. It's filled with blessings that are as true today as they were when David wrote this very beautiful psalm. Let's read it. Psalm 84 beginning in verse 1, "O, how lovely are your dwelling places, O Lord of Hosts." Now, that is a beautiful name of God. Lord of Hosts. Lord Tzevaot.

It means, Lord of the armies of heaven. It's the declaration of the power and the authority of the Almighty. It's also a beautiful expression, where he says, verse two, my soul longed, and even yearned for the courts of the Lord. Because there in the courts of the Lord is where the glory. See, they understood that the Shekinah glory of the Lord abide there above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant there in the house of the Lord. There was the beautiful presence of God. He says, "I yearn for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God."

Then interesting, in verse three, a bird-- he comes into the courts of the Lord. He sees a bird, a swallow. He says a bird has even found a house there, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she may lay her young. He's envious of them because they get to be there. He says, "Even amongst your altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God, O, how blessed are those who dwell in your house." Look at the birds they dwell in your house, and all day long they are ever praising you. They get to be there singing. O, to be like those birds.

Then he says, verse five, "How blessed is the man whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion passing through the Valley of Baca." Now, that is the beautiful Hebrew expression, the Valley of weeping, the valley of tears. "Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring, and the early rain covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appears before God of Zion. O Lord, God of Hosts, hear my prayer, give ear, O God of Jacob. Behold our shield, O God, and look upon the face of your anointed."

That's Moshiach, the name for the King of Israel. "Look upon your face of your anointed." Then he gives this very famous verse 10. Many songs have been written just on this one verse, where he says, "For one day in your courts are better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold, the doorway of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and a shield. The Lord gives grace, and the Lord gives glory. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of Hosts," third time now, he said that expression, "O Lord of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in thee."

I. Your Soul Yearns for Lovely Dwelling Places

That is a great song. One of those great ones that you would want to memorize. Write it on your heart. Write it on the tablet of your soul. It is so beautiful and there's so much for us to understand and to apply to our lives, starting with this, that your soul yearns for lovely dwelling places. Notice, verses one and two, "How lovely are your dwelling places, O Lord of Hosts. My soul longs and yearns for there, the courts of the Lord." Because your soul was made and longs to dwell in lovely places.

We long, we look for those opportunities to dwell where you can just sit and enjoy a beautiful a place to just dwell, like lawn chairs at the beach at sunset, warm beach, and lawn chairs sunset crackling fire, sipping on ice tea. Sun is setting. People, they plan their vacations around. They want to just have places to dwell, beautiful sunset, warm beach, crackling fire. David says, "Oh, that's good," but I know something that's even better.

Or maybe perhaps hiking up a mountain and coming to that overlook where there, behold purple mountain majesties, high above amber waves of grain. You're just like, "Oh." You want to just soak it in. How beautiful. Oh, what a glory, what a beautiful. You want to just dwell there. David says, "Oh, that's good," but I know something better. I know something far and far better. "O, how lovely are your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts." Something happens there. Dwelling in the nearness of God, something happens there to my soul.

A. The soul that sings is dwelling near to God

David was far from Jerusalem when he wrote this, longing, yearning for those lovely dwelling places where he can abide in the shadow of the Almighty, because something happens there to the soul. See, when you have tasted and seen how good and how pleasant it is to dwell in the nearness of God, to behold the beauty of the Lord, you long for it again and again. Something happens to the soul there, abiding in the nearness of God, and you long for it. Only there can your soul be satisfied. Then David adds this aspect, and that is he loves to sing there.

When he dwells in the nearness of God, he loves to sing. David loved music. He loved to sing. The soul that sings is dwelling near to God. The soul that sings, notice in verse two, "My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God." Oh, what a beautiful understanding. Music is going to be a glorious aspect of heaven. Anybody agree with me? You read the Scriptures and you read the description of the glory of the music resounding in heaven. There's something about music when the soul sings. See, the soul that sings is dwelling in the nearness of God.

See, when David sang a song of worship, yes, people can hear his voice for he sang with his voice, but God heard the resonance of his soul for he's saying-- he says, "My heart sings. My soul sings there." See, the soul that sings is dwelling in the nearness of God. The soul was made to sing. Notice, Psalm 108:1 and 5, when he writes, "My heart is steadfast O God, I will sing, I will sing praises." Notice, "Even with my soul." I will sing. With my soul I will sing.

Then he adds glorious words, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be above all the earth." That ought to be sung right there. That is worship. That ought to be sung. Actually, we have a song. I exalt thee. It's like you want to just sing it. When the soul sings in the presence of the Almighty, you are abiding in lovely dwelling places. You are dwelling in the courts of the Lord. Your soul is abiding in the beauty of the Lord. That is what worship is meant to be.

Can you abide in the lovely dwelling places of the Lord today? Can you abide in lovely dwelling places? Can you abide in the courts of the Lord? Yet when the soul sings in the presence of the Almighty, you are abiding in lovely dwelling places. You are dwelling in the beauty on the Lord. That is what the soul was meant to be. Once you have tasted it, see, it is like-- I'm preaching this to you. I'm trying to tell you this, but it's, you have to taste it. It's like me trying to describe food for you, until you actually taste the food, all my descriptions will fall short. You must taste it for yourself. God wants you to taste it for yourself.

How beautiful it is. David says, "When I'm in the nearness of God, something happens in my soul. Life is ignited there by the glory of God." David says, "I want you to taste and see how good it is." You have to taste it for yourself. Would you want to taste it? Anybody want to taste it? I want to do something a little different. Actually, this is very different. I want you to taste it. This morning I'd like you to stand on your feet. Would you? We're going to taste. We're going to abide in the nearness of God. We're going to just take a moment to worship. Let the soul sing in the beauty of the nearness of God. Let's just worship for a moment.

[music]

I worship you, Almighty God

There is none like you

I worship you, O Prince of Peace

That is what I long to do

I give you praise

For you are my righteousness

I worship you, Almighty God

There is none like you

There is none

There is none like you

There is none like you

Oh, how beautiful. "O, how beautiful are your dwelling places, O Lord, God of hosts, my soul longs and even yearns for the courts of the Lord." Amen. You could be seated. David saw a bird, a swallow in the courts of the Lord, and he thought, "Oh, I'd be like that bird that dwells amongst your altars." David was envious because of that swallow who had built a nest where she may lay her young. Oh, want to be like that swallow, who gets to be there. Then verse four, "How blessed are those who dwell in your house for they are ever praising thee."

B. May there be a highway to Zion in your heart

Oh, the bird gets to sing. Oh, they get to dwell in the altars of the living God. Oh, to be like that bird. The longing because something happens in the soul when you abide in the beauty of the nearness of God. Then he adds this, "And may there be a highway to Zion in your heart." Beautiful poetic. There is in my heart a highway, he says in verse five, "How blessed is the man whose strength is in you and in whose heart is a highway to Zion." Oh, a long my heart, there's a highway to Zion in my heart. See, the longing for Jerusalem was the longing and a yearning for the courts of the Lord to abide in lovely dwelling places of the Almighty.

In other words, there was in his heart, that highway to Zion, it is a beautiful poetic expression of longing because the soul abides in glory. You have to taste and see how good it is. You see now, many years later-- Interesting part of the story, many years later when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians and many were taken captive, they stayed as exiles there in Babylon those 70 years.

When those 70 years were completed, God opened the door for them to return. Notice Ezra 1:5-6, "Then they arose," there in Babylon, "everyone whose spirit God stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem." Then others, "All those around them encouraged them with gifts of silver and gold and other valuables." Now, in other words, some were stirred to go to Jerusalem and to rebuild the house of the Lord, some were not. Each could decide to respond to the stirring of the Lord and return to Jerusalem or to stay in Babylon and live as they had always lived.

Now, interestingly, by the way, Jerusalem and Babylon are the two cities mentioned most in the Scriptures, and Babylon becomes a picture of the world. Notice, for example, when you read the Book of Revelation, it uses Babylon as a symbol of the world, the world systems, the worldliness. In the hearts of many there in Babylon, there was a highway to Zion, a great longing and a yearning for the beautiful holy city of Jerusalem. For there was their understanding that God's glory would dwell there. They had a longing. There was a highway Zion in many of them who lived in Babylon, but not in all of them. Many had grown quite comfortable there in Babylon.

Now, at first, they hated it. They were after all slaves in a foreign land, but after a while, they settled in quite well. They built new lives there in Babylon. They built homes. Some of them had nice homes. You could build a home along the river, have a garden, but when it was time to go home, many of them did not want to go home. They had grown complacent and comfortable there in Babylon, and what's not to like?

Babylon had everything that one could desire in Babylon. There were theaters and restaurants in Babylon. There were markets, there were the hanging gardens of Babylon where glory and world renowned for Babylon's grandeur. Oh, the opulence, oh, the wealth, oh, that Babylon had to offer, everything that a person could want. Theaters, restaurants. There was a Starbucks on every corner in Babylon, although they served Turkish coffee. There were markets, there were desserts. You could buy Turkish delights. Houses with gardens. You could get a four-horsepower latest model chariot in Babylon. Everything a person could desire was found in Babylon or was there.

Many Jews in Babylon were logging for the day when they could return. Babylon in all of its opulence and wealth was not enough for them. No, they wanted more for they knew that there was something more. There are those today who know in their heart that the world is not enough, that Babylon is not enough, that there are deeper places for the soul to dwell. That there are deeper places for the soul's desire. That there is deeper meaning and purpose to be found, more than can be found in Babylon, more than can be found in the pleasures of this world.

C. Make the valley of tears a spring

Oh, the pleasant things of the world are certainly pleasant, but it's not enough for those who have tasted and know the beauty. It's not enough for those who long for the lovely dwelling places of the Lord in whose heart there is a highway to Zion. Then interestingly, he says, "Then passing through the Valley of Baca, they make the Valley of tears a spring." This is very interesting. Then he adds, "The early rain covers it with blessings." Verse six. Interestingly, first, he says, "Passing through the Valley of Baca" The Valley of Baca, everyone understands what that means. A valley of tears, valley of trouble, a valley of weeping.

David was weeping when he left Jerusalem that day, one of the most difficult days of his life, but you pass through it. We understand. God never said that, "Once you receive the Lord Jesus into your life, there will not be troubles." God never said that. Jesus said that, "In this world you will have tribulation, but take courage I have overcome the world." You will have the valleys of weeping. There will be valleys of trouble, but you'll pass through it. Pass through it, and every one of them will stand before God in Zion. Oh, you'll get through and God will bring you home, and God will bring you to Zion. Amen. Can we give the Lord praise and glory. Amen.

See, notice this theme that passing through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring. How is this? How blessed. Notice the theme where he says, "How blessed is the man whose strength is in you. They go from strength to strength." Now, we're not talking here about physical strength, we're talking about the soul. How does one receive such strength? How did they get such strength? They got such strength by abiding in the lovely dwelling places of the Lord, by longing and yearning for the courts of the Lord. By having in their hearts a highway to Zion, knowing that it is the abiding of the nearness of God in the shadow of the Almighty that the one who is strength itself will strengthen you. The one who is the Almighty will pour out his strength upon your soul.

Then because of what God is doing in your soul, that when you are going through that Valley of Baca, that you will make it a spring. In other words, the strength of your soul is a spring of life and a source of encouragement to those who are walking with you through the valley of weeping. Because you have been strengthened. Because you understand where glory is found. You understand where strength is found. You become that encouragement and that blessing to those who are walking with you through that valley of weeping.

Then he adds in verse six, "The early rain covers it with blessings." That's God. God is the one who sends the early rain. That's the rain that comes in the fall that causes the seed to sprout and flourish. It is the blessings that make for a great harvest to come. Oh, you'll pass through this valley, and when you're going through that Valley of Baca, you make it a spring because of what God has done in your soul, and God will add his blessing to it. God adds his blessing when you walk through that valley. God adds his blessing to it as well. Then he says, notice then the rest of that Psalm can be summarized in the last verse. "How blessed is the man who trusts in thee." How blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord God.

II. How Blessed is the One Who Trusts in God

Notice, and then in verses 8 and 9, this is his prayer. "O Lord, God of hosts, hear our prayer. Give ear, O God of Jacob." See, David is crying out to God for help. Absalom has brought out the forces of Israel to bear against him. David is outnumbered. Far, far, far outnumbered. He cries out to the Lord God of hosts. Hear in my prayer, the God of hosts is a beautiful expression. Lord Tzevaot, captain of the armies of heaven, bring out the armies of heaven, God, to save and to rescue. Hear my prayer. In other words, I'm trusting in God. I know where help comes from. I trust in you for help, God.

See, notice verse nine, "Look upon the face of your anointed." See, in other words, David is saying, "My face is turned towards you, God. I know in whom I have believed. I know where help comes from. I have lifted up my eyes. My face is turned towards you." Then he says, "Look upon the face of your anointed." It means pour out your favor upon me. "God," he says, "Is my help in time of trouble." Spoiler alert. David is the one who is victorious at the end of the story. David is the one who returns to Zion to stand before God in the courts of the Lord yet again. Even though Absalom far, far, far, outnumbered him, it was God's help who saved and rescued and brought David back to stand in the courts of the Lord once again.

"How blessed is the man who trusts in thee." Then he adds some of the most beautiful words found in the Psalms. "For one day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else." Oh, many worship songs have been written on that one verse." One day in your courts, one day abiding in your lovely dwelling places. One day abiding in the glory of God is better than a thousand anywhere else. Then he adds, "I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the very tents of wickedness."

A. One day in Your courts are better than a thousand

See, the threshold again is at the door. You're barely inside the door. I would rather stand there than in the tents of wickedness. They could invite me to sit at the table in their dining room. I would rather be at the edge of the threshold than there in the tents of wickedness for it's better. One day in your courts is better than a thousand days anywhere else. Now, some people are torn between the things of the world and the things of God. They don't know which is better. I don't know which one is better.

The pleasant things of the Lord or the pleasant things of the world, and they're tossed and torn between. Which one is better? I don't know which one is better. The writer of the book James says that they are like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, double-minded and unstable in all their ways, which is to say there comes a time to choose. There comes a time to decide where life comes from. There comes a time to decide where your soul will find what it desires in its deepest places.

David says, "Oh I know, I know where life is found. I know where my soul delights to dwell. I would rather have one day in the courts of the Lord than a thousand days anywhere else." That is how good and how beautiful it is. It reminds me of the challenge that Joshua made. Joshua is the one who led Israel into the land of promise, but when he came near the end of his life, he gathered Israel together for one last grand opportunity to speak. This challenge that he gave to them has run through the years to our ears today, and it still resounds in a powerful challenge to decide.

Notice, Joshua 24:15, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord." It's disagreeable? Something wrong with serving the Lord? Something missing? He said, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods which your father served which were beyond the river, or the gods in whose land you are now living." Then, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

 B. The Lord gives grace and glory

This thing is settled with me. I have decided I know in whom I have believed and I have resolved in my heart. I know where life comes from, and I have decided that one day in your courts Lord is better than a thousand anywhere else. That is the declaration of a soul that has tasted and seen how good and how lovely it is. Then he finishes gloriously. Verse 11, "For the Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly." It's such a beautiful promise. The Lord gives grace. You abide there in the lovely dwelling places of the Lord and you will be filled.

God pours out grace and God pours out glory. Something happens there in the soul. God will pour out grace, and he will pour out his glory upon those who abide there. Then he adds, "No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly." No good thing. The favor and the blessing of God pours grace, favor on your life. It reminds me of what Paul wrote in Romans 8:32 and 38, "What then shall we say to these things?" He's referring to all the glorious things he just said in that amazing chapter.

"What then shall we say to these things, for if God is for us, then who could be against us? He who did not spare his own son, but delivering him over for us all, how will he not also with Him freely give us all good things?" No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. "For I am convinced, I am persuaded, that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus our Lord." Amen. Amen. Amen.

There comes a time of choosing. There comes a time of resolving your soul to this. From where does life come? Choose you this day. David says, "Oh I know. I know where life comes from and I know how beautiful it is when you dwell in the glory of the Almighty. Something happens there." There comes a time to declare. Church, how many will say that to the Lord today, "I know in whom I have believed, and this is settled with me. I know Lord that one day in your presence is better than a thousand days anywhere else. I have choose to follow you." If that is you would you just lift your hand to the Lord and make that declaration?

God, I want just say it. I want to just declare it. I have resolved this. I know where life is found. I know where glory abides. One day in your courts is better than a thousand days anywhere else. I would rather dwell in the threshold of the house of my God than in the tents of wickedness. This thing has settled with me. Amen. Can we give the Lord praise and glory and honor? Amen. Amen. Lord, we love you, and thank you for meeting us here and pouring out your spirit of life.

Today, you have shown us glory. How beautiful it is. We delight in the Almighty, and God we know that this is only made possible because of what you have done for us through the Lord Jesus Christ. You sent your son to die on the cross, his payment for our sins, those sins which has separated us from God. You paid the penalty and the price through your son who shed his blood that day that our sins would be forgiven, paid in full and then reconciled to God so that we can draw near to the everlasting Father.

You have made a way. It's only by the blood. It's only because of you. It's only because you have won us through Jesus Christ. Church, if you are here this morning, as we continue to pray, all eyes are bowed in prayer. If you are here this morning and the spirit is just stirring your heart. You've come to see now that you need to settle this. He is inviting you. He's knocking on the door of your heart. He says come. There's a decision to be made. I give you an invitation. Would you receive it? If you this morning are stirred by the spirit, you can feel in your heart the spirit is stirring you to resolve this in your heart with the Lord. Have you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

He has made a way for your soul to abide in glory through His Son. You must receive that Son. You must ask God to forgive that sin which separates you from Him and He will do it freely. Then you will be reconciled to the living God with that promise of eternal life. If you today would resolve that and receive the Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Savior, I'm going to ask that you would just lift up your hand and I want to just pray for you. I just want to pray for you. Right now, if you just lift up your hand, I want to just pray. God bless you. I see you guys, both of you over here on my left.

Anyone else? God bless you. Up here in the front, I see both of you guys as well. Thank you. I see you there. Anyone else? I want to just pray over you and bless you. Anyone else? I want to give you an opportunity to receive the Lord. Anyone else? God bless you. That's beautiful. I see you there in the back. Anyone else? God bless you. Anyone else? I see you right there as well in the back. God bless you on my left.

Anyone else? Lord, I want to just pray over each one of those who have been stirred because your spirit has stirred their heart to be reconciled to the living God through your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that you would forgive their sin, reconcile them to yourself, and that they would begin to walk in that newness of life, newness of relationship, to know what it means to dwell in the nearness of God, that their souls were being made alive in the glory of God. God, we welcome every one of them into the the glorious family of God and we give you praise and glory as your spirit has stirred many today. We give you praise for it all. In Jesus' name, and everyone said-- Can we give the Lord praise and glory? Amen.