Psalm 84 – Joy Comes from the Lord
During my morning Bible reading through my Bible-in-a-year schedule this past week I read Psalm 84. I am reading through the New Living Translation, which I really like. It is very readable. Reading Psalm 84 made me smile because it reminded me of the joy that comes only from the Lord.
I love verse 10 because it reminds me that being in the court of the living God is better and more joyous than being anywhere else. This whole Psalm reminds me that if I trust in the Lord our God I will know great joy.
Psalm 84
For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
Interlude
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
7 They will continue to grow stronger,
and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
8 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.
Listen, O God of Jacob.
Interlude
9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!
Show favor to the one you have anointed.
10 A single day in your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right.
12 O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in you.
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i love verse 10. it really does put a smile on your face.
Verse 10 touched me as well. I’ve been going through some very painful emotions as I tell the world about things I’ve kept secret. It has been very difficult and I’ve been struggling. What you’ve shared here has lifted me up today and for that I am very grateful. Blessings and Love to you, Joan
Joan, Sharing the struggles you’ve been through can be very emotional and difficult. But never forget that these things were not ever a secret to God and He loves you no matter what. As you begin to share, you will find that others who read what you’ve written and have experienced similar things will be blessed by your words. It will all be worth it. Peace, Linda
the psalms are such wonderful places of joy, of majesty, or entering into holy places. I am so very thankful that you wrote about this psalm because it echos through my heart. Better is one day in the presence of the lord thank anything else. I think that each of us crave that place that only God himself can satisfy.
So true – I know I crave that place that only He can satisfy – everything else ends up leaving me feeling unfulfilled. Glad you enjoyed this Psalm. It really blessed my week when I read it the other day. Peace and Merry Christmas, Linda
Linda, this is one of my favorites too. Something about verse 10 really gets me and helps put things into perspective for me. God bless you and your time with Him. 🙂
Deb, Thank you for sharing the perfect song to go with this Psalm! We have sung this song in church before, but I’ve never heard this version of it. It is so beautiful. 🙂 Better is one day in His courts, indeed! Peace, Linda