Psalm 84:1-7 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 84:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
Verse 2My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Verse 3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Verse 4Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah
Verse 5Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Verse 6As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Verse 7They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
Devotion
“Happy are those who live in your house!” This praise song is believed to have been sung by people on their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, after their long wait to return.
I often hear regular worshipers say they don’t feel right when they miss church. Psalm 84 expresses that feeling for us as our strength is found in God’s word creating a longing for the “courts of the Lord.” That sense comes from creating a consistent Sabbath day ritual.
When I was a child, on Saturday night we’d study our Sunday school lesson. After the Saturday night bath, the Sunday dress worn only for church and special occasions was laid out. Attending church was part of a weekly ritual which made you feel happy and complete.
As we’ve lost that special ritual, we’ve also lost the longing to dwell in the house of the Lord and feel the happiness and strength that weekly fills and renews us with God’s word.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, create within us a longing to dwell in your house. Strengthen our faith to find joy in your presence and hearts filled with praise for you. Amen.
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