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Psalm 84 – Happiness in the Lord

by Gary Sims
08/27/03
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The Psalms
Psalm 84 – Happiness in the Lord

Key Verses: (The Message)
  • 1”My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the king, shaping the river into words:” – This is a wedding poem for a king, perhaps Solomon, who is revered by his people and blessed by God.

  • 3”Strap your sword to your side, warrior! Accept praise! Accept due honor! Ride majestically! Ride Triumphantly! 4”Ride on the side of truth! Ride for the righteous meek!” – Because he is so greatly blessed, the king is urged to take on the mantle of God and lead his people in righteous and in defense of truth.

  • 6”Your throne is God's throne, ever and always; the scepter of your royal rule measures right living” – The king is implored to always remember that his kingdom is as a result of God’s blessings, making it God’s kingdom.

  • 7”You love the right and hate the wrong. And that is why God, your very own God, poured fragrant oil on your head, marking you out as king from among your dear companions.” – He is reminded that he has been made king for the right reasons and that he should not forget from where he came.

  • 10”Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: forget your country, put your home behind you.” – The bride is asked to not look to her past, but forward to her responsibilities as queen.

  • 17”I'll make you famous for generations; you'll be the talk of the town for a long, long time." – Walk in the ways of the Lord and blessings will flow for ever.
Points to Contemplate:
  • Where do you find yourself in this poem? Are you a king richly blessed by God? As a Christian do you have roles of leadership where you are being called to lead in truth and righteousness? Are you supposed to stand up against the wrong in the world that you encounter? Are you a poet looking in wonder to God? Do you let your heart overflow like a river with joy and love when you gaze on His magnificence? Do words of praise flow from you in an unending stream when you consider all of God’s creation and His love for you? Are you a bride following God wherever He leads? Has your marriage with Christ caused you to forget your past and leave behind the land of sin where you once dwelt?

  • Why are you blessed by God? What is the purpose behind His blessings that He furnishes you in such great abundance? If this poem is about Solomon, we see revealed here the fulfillment of God’s promise to Solomon to bless him with riches and honor beyond his wildest dreams. Why would God do this? Why not simply provide for the necessities of life? Do you see, again, that God’s blessings come with a purpose? In this case, the king is to pick up His sword and stand for righteousness and against wrong. Is this another example that we are blessed to be a blessing? That we have a holy task to take our blessings out into the world?

  • Will your throne last forever? What is your throne? Is it the area of influence you have in the world? Is it the place from which your authority originates? Does this mean your throne is your relationship with God? That as you develop a firm foundation in that throne, that your area of influence in the world expands? Do your territories grow with God? Do they have ever-lasting power? Will He “make you famous for generations?” For what reason? Is it to insure that those who follow you will also know God?

  • Has God anointed you with fine oils? In what way would His anointing be evident? Does His mark in your life cause your actions to smell sweet as honey? When others look upon you do they see a special glow about you that reveals His anointing in your life? Does this indicate that He is always with you, that the gladness in your heart is a result of the “marking you out as king from among your dear companions” which He has accomplished with you?

  • Will you ride triumphantly for the cause of truth? Will the armor of God protect you and cause your enemies to fall under you? Will God protect you from the hate and wickedness you encounter in the world? Is your salvation in Christ assured and His faithfulness guaranteed? Do you find hope in these promises?
Prayer of the Day:

Blessed Lord: We pray that you bless us beyond our deepest needs, enabling us to spread your blessings so that everyone can come to know your amazing love. We pray that you expand our territories, making our thrones last forever knowing that the inheritance of your grace that we pass on to others does have everlasting power. Lord, anoint us with your sweet smelling love so that the fruit of your Spirit residing within us will be seen and experienced by the world. And finally we pray for your protection as we take up your armor in our stance for truth and against wickedness. Father, as we pray our “hearts burst their banks, spilling beauty and goodness.” May our lives “pour it out in a poem to the king, shaping the river into words.” Through Christ, our bridegroom to eternity, we pray. Amen.

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