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Day 251

Psalm 84:9b "And look upon the face of Your anointed."

Day 251 – Psalm 84

“And look upon the face of Your anointed.” Psalm 84:9b

A DEEPLY MOVING PRAYER

Prayers to God were led by the priests. The Levites could also lead in prayer. The pilgrims would join their hearts in prayer with their spiritual leaders. This prayer, offered by the pilgrims, was truly moving.

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

1. “O God, behold our shield”

a) This was more than just a prayer for protection.
b) This was a special prayer for the king of Israel.
c) How may we understand that this was the intended meaning in this context?
d) The answer lies in the understanding of the next phrase.

2. “Your anointed”

a) The words “Your anointed” had a special significance.
b) This phrase was used by Solomon to describe his father, King David.

“O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed;
Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”
2 Chronicles 6:42

i) Solomon expressed consciousness of the covenant God had given to David (Davidic covenant- 2 Samuel 7; Psalm 89:1-4).
ii) His prayer was premised on the covenant that God had given to David.
iii) This covenant with David was based on the promise of mercy to be given to the offspring of David.
c) This phrase was a reference to the sons of Korah employed in prayer- as they prayed for the descendants of David’s royal line.

3. “And look upon the face of Your anointed”

a) It was a prayer of blessing for the royal seed of David.
b) It was a prayer for God to look upon the king of Israel who would then be able to lift up his shield for the protection of the nation.