Psalm 84:1-2
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord Almighty!
[2] My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Psalm 84 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. While Psalm 84 is a song in itself, there have been several modern day worship songs that have been written using the lyrics from the verses of Psalm 84. This psalm is all about the desire to be in the presence of God. It is the description of the Israeli man making a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem in order to worship in the presence of God. In the song the writer gives several reasons why he longs to be there and rejoices in the blessing that results from being there.
Part of my affection for this particular psalm stems from what I read in its title. This is a song that was written by the Sons of Korah. You will find the story of Korah in Numbers 16. He was part of the group of Levites appointed to serve in certain areas of worship in the tabernacle that Moses had built at the Lord’s command. However, Korah and a group of others- about 250 leaders in Israel - felt that Moses and Aaron were taking too much responsibility upon themselves and lording it over the rest of the Levites. Korah felt that he and his comrades could approach God and worship on their terms. The end result of their revolt against the leadership of Moses and Aaron was God opened the earth and swallowed up the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 250 men died in the tabernacle as they tried to offer incense to God according to their whim instead of in obedience to the Lord. Numbers 16 tells the story of severe judgment upon men who did not properly respect the presence of the Lord.
There were descendants of Korah who survived that judgment. Not only did they survive, they learned something. It was the Sons of Korah who wrote the lyrics of this song we are reading today declaring the wonder of being in the presence of God. The writers have learned that when you come to the presence of the Lord with the right heart there is no better place on earth to. In the presence of the Lord there is safety, there is strength that replaces weakness, there is joy that replaces weeping, there is divine protection, and there is the favor of the Living God!
The good news for you and me today is we do not have to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to be in the presence of God. We can live in his presence 24/7. Jesus said that he will be with us and never leave us. The presence of the Lord is as close as our thoughts. All we need to do is turn our heart and mind toward him and we can become keenly aware of the fact that He is my sun and shield . . . He is the source of strength that I need for today . . . He is my King and my God.
Why not take a moment and click on the link below and go to YouTube and sing along
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVRcqziKWA
Have a blessed day in His presence!
Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Thurs. Oct. 6, 2011 Jer. 39-40, Psalm 84, Prov. 6, Gal. 1-2
Fri. Oct. 7, 2011 Jer. 41-42, Psalm 85, Prov.7, Gal.3-4
Sat. Oct. 8, 2011 Jer. 43-44, Psalm 86, Prov. 8, Gal. 5-6
Sun. Oct. 9, 2011 Jer. 45-47, Psalm 87, Prov. 9, Acts 16
Mon. Oct. 10, 2011 Jer. 48, Psalm 88, Prov. 10, Phil. 1-2
Tues. Oct.11, 2011 Jer. 49, Psalm 89:1-18, Prov. 11, Phil. 3-4
Wed. Oct. 12, 2011 Jer. 50, Psalm 89:19-37, Prov. 12, Acts 17