(1) Overview
(NET) The psalmist expresses his desire to be in God’s presence in the Jerusalem temple, for the Lord is the protector of his people.
(2) Outline (simplified version)
(Kel Ps)
I. The pilgrim expresses his consuming desire to appear before the sovereign LORD (1–4).
II. The pilgrim describes the blessedness of those who make the pilgrimage to Zion (5–7).
III. The pilgrim earnestly prays that God will show favor to the king (8–9).
IV. The pilgrim asserts the reason for this deep yearning to appear before God: he is confident that God will answer his petition (10–12).
A. He reasserts his intense love for Zion (10).
B. He explains that the LORD will withhold no good thing from the one who walks blamelessly (11).
C. He concludes that the faithful person [the pilgrim] is blessed (12).
The comfort and protection of the home is determined by the presence of the Master. He who cares for us also becomes a house for us.
C. God is sovereign and His protection has no end
(4) Reflection: As we heard the news about the Covid or its variants we do not know if we have enough protection for ourselves and our church. This psalm reminds me that God rules over all. He is like a house that protects me against all the storms and rain.
I. The pilgrim expresses his consuming desire to appear before the sovereign LORD (1–4).
II. The pilgrim describes the blessedness of those who make the pilgrimage to Zion (5–7).
III. The pilgrim earnestly prays that God will show favor to the king (8–9).
IV. The pilgrim asserts the reason for this deep yearning to appear before God: he is confident that God will answer his petition (10–12).
A. He reasserts his intense love for Zion (10).
B. He explains that the LORD will withhold no good thing from the one who walks blamelessly (11).
C. He concludes that the faithful person [the pilgrim] is blessed (12).
(3) Repeated phrases or main idea
A. God is our protector v.11
"the place where you live" v.1a
"the courts of the LORD's temple" v.2, 4
"Even the birds find a home there." v.3a
"the swallow...protect her young." v.3b
(NET) The psalmist here romanticizes the temple as a place of refuge and safety. As he thinks of the birds nesting near its roof, he envisions them finding protection in God’s presence.
The comfort and protection of the home is determined by the presence of the Master. He who cares for us also becomes a house for us.
B. Those who long for the protection will be sustained throughout their path
those who find their strength in you, v.5a
84:6 As they pass through the Baca Valley,
he provides a spring for them.
The rain even covers it with pools of water.
he provides a spring for them.
The rain even covers it with pools of water.
They are sustained as they travel along v.7
[ pools of water]=(NET) The pilgrims move successively from one “place of strength” to another as they travel toward Jerusalem. All along the way they find adequate provisions and renewed energy for the trip.
[ pools of water]=(NET) The pilgrims move successively from one “place of strength” to another as they travel toward Jerusalem. All along the way they find adequate provisions and renewed energy for the trip.
C. God is sovereign and His protection has no end
O LORD WHO RULES OVER ALL, v.3c, 12a
(4) Reflection: As we heard the news about the Covid or its variants we do not know if we have enough protection for ourselves and our church. This psalm reminds me that God rules over all. He is like a house that protects me against all the storms and rain.
I've finished a wonderful zoom meeting with my high-school friends this morning and heard all their stories. Roads are getting harder as we mature in age. Some people have their loved ones passed away. Some people's money was cheated by another high school friend among the group. However, for believers, our strength is given successively from one place to another. God is adequate.
Audrey
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