Scripture Reading : Psalm 84
Theme : The Pull of Home
- The Soul’s Longing for the Lord (1–4). Longing is written all over this psalm. This eager and homesick man is one of the Korahite temple singers, and the mood of the psalm is like Psalms 42 and 43. He longs to see God’s temple, which means He longs to see God Himself (cf. Ps. 42:2). His longing is so strong that he even considers the sparrows at God’s temple to be blessed, even more blessed are those who have the honor to serve/sing at the temple.
- The Pilgrimage to the Temple (5–7). The psalmist declared the blessedness of those who demonstrate their faith by going on pilgrimage to appear in Jerusalem before the Lord. On their pilgrimage they were strengthened by God’s blessings. The Valley of Baca (balsam tree) was apparently a waterless place that became a place of springs. The rains would cover the arid valley with pools of water, a vivid picture of God’s blessings on the faithful pilgrims.
- The Prayer of the Pilgrim (8–12). He knows God will hear his prayers because he is upright, meaning his heart and desires align with God’s heart and desires. God will give everything he asks. One desire he has is for God to bless the anointed/king who is the shield/defender of Israel. The ultimate anointed is Jesus the Messiah/Christ. Another great desire is that he would rather be a lowly servant in God’s court then in a lavish place with the wicked. The psalmist heart is pure and good, such heart can only be satisfied by God’s great character. Such heart can never be satisfied by evil even though evil offers materialistic and self-centered pleasures. God will always answer the prayers of such pure hearts. He does not use God to get his idols.
Praying the Scripture
Even though Jesus has set aside the temple and Mosaic Law during the age of the church (John 4:21-23; Heb. 7:18), we should still long for the presence of God. The temple only represented God’s presence. Right now, God’s presence is displayed in the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. But in the future, we will see Jesus when He returns, and we will see God the Father in the new earth and new heaven (Rev. 21:22). If you want to long for God as intensively as the psalmist, you must have a pure heart like the psalmist (Matt. 5:8). Sin kills our desire to see God (1 John 2:28). May you see God’s great character and be in awe of Him and long for His return/presence. God’s presence is our true home, not this passing world filled with vanities. Do not use God to get your idols or to build your own kingdom of wealth, fame and praise from men. But seek the praise of God. All glory and honor goes to God alone.
经文：诗篇84
主题：家的引力
- 灵对耶和华的渴想（1-4）。渴想充满了这章诗篇。这热切又想家的人是可拉后裔的一个圣殿唱工，而这首诗的氛围也与诗篇42和43相同。他渴想看见神的圣殿，也就是说他渴想看见神自己（参诗42:2）。他的渴望很强烈，甚至他认为在祭坛的麻雀比在圣殿侍奉和歌唱的人更有福。
- 到圣殿朝圣（5-7）。诗人也宣告往耶路撒冷朝圣以展示信心的人是有福的。朝圣途中，他们因神的祝福力上加力。流泪谷（胶衫树）似乎是一个成为泉源之地的干旱土地。秋雨会盖满缺水的谷，而这是神祝福一个忠实圣徒的生动画面。
- 圣徒的祷告（8-12）。诗人晓得神会聆听他的祷告因为他是正直的，也就是说他的心思和意念都符合神的心思和意念。神会给他所要的一切。他心里的一个渴望就是请求神赐福给受膏的王，即以色列的盾牌和防守。最终的受膏者是耶稣，祂即是弥赛亚也是基督。另一个渴望就是宁愿做神殿中的一个卑微仆人，也不愿在恶人的丰盛里。诗人的心是纯正良善的，而这种心只能在神伟大的品格中得到满足。即使邪恶能给予物质和自私的享乐，这种心是不能被邪恶满足的。神都会回应纯正之心的祷告。他不会利用神来得到他的偶像。
用经文祷告
虽然耶稣在教会的时代将圣殿和摩西律法搁置（约4:21-23；来7:18），我们还是应该渴望神的同在。圣殿只是代表神的同在。现在，内住在我们的圣灵即是神与我们同在的表现。但在未来，我们会在耶稣再来时看见祂，也会在新天新地里看见父神（启21:22）。如果你像作者一样强烈地渴望神，你一定要像他一样有纯正的心（太5:8）。罪扼杀我们对神的渴望（约一2:28）。愿你能看见神伟大的品德，敬畏祂，也渴望祂的再来和同在。神的同在是我们真正的家，不是这充满虚荣的世界。不要利用神来得到你的偶像或建立你自己由钱财、名利和人的赞赏而构的国度。我们乃要寻求神的赞美。愿所有的荣耀和尊贵只归于神。
