Message Notes

SSS 4 13 August 2023
Book 3
Psalms 73-89

Text: Psalm 84

To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1How lovely is Your tabernacle,
O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3 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.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You.

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The 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 O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
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 will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Psalm 84:1-12

MINISTRY OF THE LEVITES

1. Sons of Korah

a) There were some who were unfaithful Numbers 16

b) There were others who were faithful Psalm 83

2. The Ministry of the Levites

a) Book of Leviticus

b) Their duties at the Temple

THE FAITHFUL SONS OF KORAH

1. References to the House of the LORD

a) Tabernacle Psalm 84:1

b) Courts Psalm 84:2

c) Altars Psalm 84:3

d) Your house Psalm 84:4

2. Regard for the House of the LORD

a) “How lovely is Your Tabernacle” Psalm 84:1

b) My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2

3. Even the sparrows find the House of the LORD safe Psalm 84:3

Sparrows do not settle down easily unless the surroundings are very safe.

4. Rejoicing in the Lord

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You.

Psalm 84:4

THE FAITHFUL PILGRIMS

1. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem Deuteronomy 16

a) Passover/Unleavened Bread

b) Feast of weeks/ Pentecost

c) Tabernacles

2. Honouring the faithful pilgrims

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7

a) Strength

b) Heart set on a Pilgrimage

PRAYER AND BENEDICTION

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob!

9 O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
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 will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Psalm 84:8-12

1. A prayer to the LORD

a) To behold the nation (“Our shield”)

b) To look at the LORD’s anointed

i) The king

ii) The servants of the LORD

iii) Priests, Levites, Prophets

2. Personal Reflection

a) Better to be a doorkeeper in God’s house

b) Thank to dwell in tents of wickedness Psalm 84:10

c) Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD Psalm 84:12

3. Benediction

a) The LORD is a sun and shield

b) The LORD will give grace and glory

c) No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.