Blessed with Nearness to God – Psalm 84

“To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.” Psalm 84 intro

“The sons of Korah” were a guild of Levite musicians who served God as worshippers and doorkeepers rather than following their ancestor Korah’s fatal rebellion. Psalm 84 was sent to the chief musician to be set to music. [1]

“How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2

The “tabernacle” refers to the place of God’s presence, including the various courts and holy places associated with worship. Though outwardly simple, the sanctuary possessed spiritual beauty because God’s presence was there. To the faithful soul, holiness and communion with God are exceedingly precious. [2]

Praise be to God for placing within our souls an intense longing for Him.

While I was at Elitch Amusement Park this week with my grandchildren, the thought crossed my mind, “Is this a judgment against me and those in this park that we are here and not serving Christ on mission fields where lost souls need to hear the Gospel?” While I enjoyed the rides and seeing my grandchildren happy, I also thought of better times in my past, when God’s Spirit helped me to die to self and live for Christ as His ambassador to China. Possessions-wise my family was poor back then, but spiritually speaking, we were rich in Christ. Thankfully, the Lord also gave to me moments of spiritual blessings with my grandchildren this week, 

I like what Paul said while being tried in a court of law for his faith. In Acts 26:28-29, King Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Then, Paul replied, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

Being a witness for Christ was a wonderful experience for Paul. He gladly wore chains to magnify his love for Jesus, but his greatest hope for his listeners was that they, too, would believe in Christ and receive His salvation.

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.” Psalm 84:3

The psalmist is happy for the small birds who dwell near God’s altars. Their nests beside the sanctuary symbolize nearness, rest, and belonging in God’s presence. He would rather dwell humbly near God than live comfortably far away from Him.

The birds didn’t pass by God’s altars. They nested there. O that all of us would so desire not to merely to visit with God occasionally, but to dwell in His presence continually. The mention of the birds raising their young near the altar also suggests the godly desire for one’s children to know and love the Lord. [3]

The two altars in the tabernacle—the altar of sacrifice and the altar of incense—point spiritually to both atonement and intercession, fulfilled ultimately in Christ. [4]

“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, they will still be praising You. Selah!” Psalm 84:4

“Those continually engaged in God’s service are called blessed because their lives are filled with praise. The psalmist envies the priests and Levites who minister daily before God. Continual praise is portrayed as a foretaste of heaven itself, where redeemed saints and angels worship without ceasing.” [5]

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring. The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength. Each one appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7

The truly blessed person finds strength in God and delights in the ways that lead to Him. The pilgrim journey to Zion represents the believer’s spiritual journey toward God. [6]

The “Valley of Baca” symbolizes hardship, dryness, and sorrow. Yet faithful pilgrims transform it into a place of springs because God refreshes those who seek Him. Difficulties do not stop them from worship. No, instead, trials deepen their dependence upon God’s grace. [7]

“They go from strength to strength” describes continual spiritual growth. Rather than becoming weary, believers are renewed as they draw nearer to God. [8]

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, Paul wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Worship of God was never meant to be a legal obligation or drain on us. No, true worship of God yields renewed joy, peace, and energy for our souls.

“O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer! Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah!” Psalm 84:8

The Lord God is over the hosts. The word for “hosts” in Hebrews is “צָבָא” which means a mass of people or things gathered for war. [9] The Psalmist wants the Lord God to employ His armies against that which would keep him from being close to God.

“The God of Jacob” is mindful of the covenant that He made with Jacob and by extension to his descendants. The singer of this psalm wants the Lord to be with him as He was with Jacob.

“O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed.” Psalm 84:9

In Genesis 15:1, God said to Abraham: “Fear not, Abraham, I am your shield.”

The names Christ and Messiah mean Anointed One. We ask God to look at us through face of Christ. It is in Messiah that we find mercy. It is in Christ that we have victory over all the works of darkness. In Luke 10:17, seventy disciples returned to the Lord, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name.”

Though the singer of this song was far from a place where people worshipped God, God still remained with him, and gave him messianic blessings, and protection.

The singer of this psalm sees a Mediator. The words, “Look upon the face of Your anointed,” ultimately point to the Messiah. It is in Messiah that we come boldly to the throne of God’s grace to receive help in time of need. By faith we look to the Anointed One, and through Him God graciously looks upon us.

“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10

Compared to days, years, or even ages spent in worldly pleasure, a single day devoted to God surpasses them all. One day in God’s presence is sweeter than long years consumed by worldly business or entertainment. Even the tabernacle, though only curtains outwardly, became more glorious than a palace because God’s presence dwelt there. [10]

Unlike the Pharisees who sought the chief seats in the synagogue, the Psalmist cared nothing for prominence or recognition. He learned by experience that though the Lord is high and lofty, and though He inhabits eternity, He also dwells with him who has a contrite and humble spirit. [11] In Isaiah 66:2, the Lord says, “On this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word.”

Some associate the phrase “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” with Exodus 21:5-6. In Exodus 21:5-6, the Lord said to Moses, “If a servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.” [12]

The singer of this psalm desires a life filled with devotion to God. He or she prefers permanent service unto God over the greatest freedom to sin. Such communion with God is a delight. [13]

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12

What is God to His people? As a sun, God enlightens, guides, and gives life in a dark world. As a shield, He protects His people from danger and surrounds them with His favor. Those who walk in His light and remain under His protection will have His provisions. [14]

What does God give to His people? “The Lord will give grace and glory.” Grace includes both God’s favor toward us and His work within us. Glory includes both the honor He gives His children now and the eternal inheritance awaiting them. Grace prepares believers for glory, and glory perfects grace. Both are free gifts from God. Wherever He gives true grace, He will give glory. No one will receive glory who has rejected His grace. [15]

The Lord withholds no good thing from upright walkers. As we freely give to God offerings of upright living, He freely gives to us blessings that only He can bestow upon us.

Blessed are all who place their trust in God. Though access to public worship is a great privilege, even those deprived of it are not excluded from God’s blessings. If we cannot physically enter the house of the Lord, we may still go by faith to the Lord of the house. In Him we find true happiness, security, and peace. [16] Praise the Lord!



[1] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, see also Numbers 16
[2] Edited content from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] Ibid
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
[9] Strong's (Hebrew & Chaldee Dictionary of the Old Testament)
[10] Edited content from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[11] Isaiah 57:15
[12] Edited content from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[13] Ibid
[14] Ibid
[15] Ibid
[16] Ibid