Psalm 84:1-12 How amiable are your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!… I. LONGING FOR GOD. 1. Soul-hunger (ver. 2). A man in good health enjoys his food, and, when he is hungry, he desires it. But once the soul is quickened, it must have "bread to eat that the world knows not of." The "heart and flesh cries out for the living God." 2. God's altars (ver. 3). The altars of God are suggestive of the forgiveness of sins, of communion, and protection. For there were the various sacrifices made which brought the soul into communion with God, through the burnt offerings, the meat offering, the peace offering, and the sin and trespass offering; there the man who was fleeing for his life might ever find a place of safety and refuge. Having expressed this desire, he ascribes two other titles to the Lord: "my King and my God." He who would call God his King must yield himself by faith to God, as well as do homage to Him. 3. The blessings of God's house (ver. 4) "In God's house everything will be granted to the soul, and nothing be asked of it in return but the praise of Him." II. THE BLESSED MAN IS A BLESSING. 1. The blessed man described (ver. 5). His will and desire, all his powers and purposes are so surrendered to God, that God can use him in blessing others. 2. How the blessed man becomes a blessing (ver. 6). God has ordained that His people, especially those who themselves have been filled and refreshed by His own blessed life, by dwelling in His house, shall be the means of saving the world. What a blessed mission is this; what a glorious privilege! 3. Reflex blessings (ver. 7). (1) "They go from strength to strength." Every grace in us is increased by the use of it (Isaiah 40:29-31). (2) "Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God" (Matthew 25:23). 4. The prayer of the blessed man (ver. 8). III. THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION (vers. 9-12). God is the complete protection of His saints. He is the whole armour with which we clothe ourselves. 1. Complete satisfaction. Sometimes the unbelieving world looks with pity upon the Christian who has turned his back upon all the carnal pleasures of the world; but the answer of the man who has found satisfaction in God and in His service is simple and emphatic (ver. 10). To be such a privileged servant of God is better than to be like Dives in the midst of all his feasting and revelling. 2. Every need supplied (ver. 11). Protection from all evil, and every needful thing He will supply out of His energetic goodness, as the sun causes the earth to be fruitful with every good thing by the power of his rays. Chief among these things is "grace" for the time being, and "glory" for the time to come. What can man want more? 3. A final beatitude (ver. 12). May the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, our King and our God, fulfil all His goodness to us in these things, by creating in us a longing thirst and desire, which shall be converted into prayer, and trust, and real possession. (G. F. Pentecost, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.} How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! |
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