Psalms

Psalms 84: God blesses those who trust Him

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the longing for God's courts, let us consider the worth of knowing Him. Ask Him to bring us near through Jesus and give us a trusting heart that treasures His presence above every comfort.

and the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go speedily to entreat the favor of Yahweh, and to seek Yahweh of Armies. I will go also.’

Zechariah 8:21

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the living God strengthens those who seek Him and gives grace and glory to those who trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The sons of Korah sing of a longing that reaches through heart and body toward the courts of the living God. Even birds nesting near His altars seem blessed to be so close, while those dwelling in His house keep praising Him. Travellers whose strength is in God pass through the valley of Weeping toward His presence in Zion. The singer asks God to hear and look with favour on His anointed. One day in God's courts outweighs a thousand elsewhere, and a place at His threshold is better than life among the wicked. The song ends with the Lord as sun and shield, giving grace and glory and blessing the person who trusts Him.

As you read Psalms 84, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The living God strengthens those who seek Him and gives grace and glory to those who trust Him.

The loveliness of God's dwelling draws the singer because his whole being longs for the living God Himself. The sparrow and swallow nesting near the altars give that longing a homely picture of the nearness he desires. Those already dwelling there praise, while pilgrims whose strength is in God carry the roads to Zion in their hearts. Their passage through the valley of Weeping becomes a place of springs, picturing God's provision along the difficult journey. They go from strength to strength toward appearing before Him, so the road's hardship is held within His sustaining care. The prayer for the anointed brings the people's king before God, whose favour is sought for their common welfare. The choice of a humble threshold over wicked tents gives nearness to God greater worth than comfort away from Him. As sun and shield He gives light and protection, with grace and glory joining present favour to the good He has in store. His promise concerns those who walk blamelessly and trust Him, whose good He understands and faithfully supplies.

How does Psalm 84 show us that the living God strengthens those who seek Him and gives grace and glory to those who trust Him?

God Himself is the joy His worshippers long to know.

The singer's heart and body cry out for the living God. Even the birds near the altars make him think of being at home with Him. Such longing gives God's humble threshold greater value than a comfortable life among the wicked.

God gives strength for the way and goodness to those who trust Him.

The pilgrims cross the valley of Weeping with their strength in God. Their springs and the rain picture His provision through a difficult country. The Lord who is sun and shield gives grace and glory to those whose trust and walk belong together.

Memorise

For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.

Psalm 84:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I valuing above being near to God through Jesus?

The singer says, “My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Nearness to Him made the humblest place at His house worth more than comfortable life elsewhere. Yet our sins make us unfit to stand before His holiness.

Jesus died in His people's place, bearing the judgment that kept guilty sinners from the Father's welcome. He rose from death to life. Their welcome with God is fully secured through His perfect obedience and atoning death, giving His people a home that will last.

Turn from the sins that hold your heart and trust Jesus. Through Jesus, forgiveness and a welcome before God belong to every sinner who seeks Him in faith. Ask Him to make the living God dearer to you than the comforts you have preferred. The grace secured by their risen Saviour gives believers strength for difficult paths and hope of being welcomed into His promised glory.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the living God strengthens those who seek Him and gives grace and glory to those who trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the strength and goodness He gives those who trust Him, and ask to know Him through Jesus. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.

John 14:10

Living God, please forgive the comforts we have treasured above You. Bring us to Jesus for pardon and the welcome He has secured. Give Your people strength through the valley of tears, and teach us to trust Your good care. Thank You for grace and glory, and make our home glad to seek Your presence and worship You. Amen.