Charles Spurgeon called this psalm “the pearl of the Psalter.”
In a Bible class, the question was once asked, “What is your favourite day of the week.”All but one answered “Sunday.” But I wondered how they would have in a different context.I also wondered if Christians who do not attend Bible class would say “Sunday.”
Here is a psalm that celebrates the joy of worship by delighting in the place of worship. How truly does it speak for us?God is glorified when the blessing of worship is praised in this manner. But do we really care this much about worship?
Dwell in the Temple
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even 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. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! (1-4)
The opening of the psalm pronounces blessed those who dwell at the temple. The whole being of the author – eyes, soul, heart, flesh – longs for the temple and cries out at the sight of it. The eyes see it as lovely (1). The soul longs for it (2a). The heart and flesh sing for joy at the prospect of worshiping in the temple (2b).
A bit of godly envy is expressed for those blessed to be able to abide there continually (3-4).The psalmist wishes he could be like the birds that build nests there (3), or like the temple singers who always stay there (4). Is this how we feel about the place of worship?
Journey to the Temple
The next section pronounces a blessing on those who journey to the temple.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! (5-8)
The way may sometimes be difficult (6), but those whose strength is in the Lord are blessed to make the journey. God provides for them along the way (5-7).
Trust in the Lord
9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! 10 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. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! (9-12)
Verse 9 is an enigma. “Anointed” could refer to the king or the high priest. The king seems more likely as the primary referent since “our shield” would be referring to his role as protector of those who come to worship the Lord. But might it not refer indirectly to all who are called by God and chosen as his people?
Verse 10 needs no explanation. But leaves us with challenging questions. Do we really feel this way? Do we really desire a humble place of service in the worship of God above worldly success?To trust in God, to see what he grants as blessing; this is the path to happiness (11-12).
Of course, we can worship anywhere. This side of the cross, we do not need the Jerusalem temple. But do we worship God anywhere and everywhere? Are we diligent in anywhere and everywhere worship?We need to delight in the opportunity to worship the Lord, and we need to let others know of our delight.