“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!”
– Psalm 84:1
Main Thought: David’s focus in this Psalm is the worship of God and the necessity and benefits of God’s people worshiping Him. David begins here by speaking of the loveliness of the place where God dwells. We have a tendency perhaps to think that David is speaking of the temple in Jerusalem when he speaks here, but I don’t believe that he is speaking of the appearance of a physical place. The word that is used here speaks also of something that is loved or beloved. Homes and places are not necessarily beloved because of the structure itself, but because of who is there, such as the father or mother, or other family members. As a Christian, we find a place loved or lovely because that is where God’s presence dwells. When David went together with the people of God to worship, God was pleased to dwell with them as they gathered together. In the present day, when God’s people gather together in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24) on Sundays, God is pleased by the Holy Spirit to come down into their midst and meet with them. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul reminded the church at Corinth that they were God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwelt in them. The church, when gathered together wherever or whatever kind of building they are gathered in, becomes a lovely or beloved place because God chooses to gather with His people when they worship Him as a body. This Psalm emphasizes the importance for all believers to gather together to worship God, that we might worship Him and we might be benefitted by being in His presence. May all of us who know Christ make it a determination that we will gather together each Sunday to be in God’s presence, to be in that place that is lovely because He is there.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.” – Job 14:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Psalm 119:41-42
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me.” – Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 86:9
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” – Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)