A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away: Psalm 84
The House of the LORD
Psalm 84
We note a change in convention of the psalms going back to Psalm 42. Psalms 42-83 are known as the Elohistic Psalms because they seem to purposely avoid using the name of Yahweh in referencing G-d, instead preferring to refer to G-d almost exclusively as Elohim. Avoidance of the term Yahweh is a Jewish tradition that demonstrates additional reverence for G-d’s Holy Name and it is thought that Psalms 42 through 83 were written/edited/compiled during a period of time when reverence for G-d’s name was a point of emphasis. Starting with Psalm 84, Yahweh returns to prominence.
On to the text, which is top five! After a seemingly endless sequence of personal and communal laments (complaints), Psalm 84 changes the mood completely. It is a Song of Zion (Jerusalem) and likely a pilgrimage song sung as Jews from across the nation (and world) journeyed to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple (remember, there are three pilgrimage holidays each year in Judaism).
Psalm 84 is a song that draws on the communal experience of lament and previous pilgrimages, a song of anticipation of the beauty and awe of worship in the presence of the Holy One. It is a song of intense desire: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD.” (v. 1) Note that the word translated/interpreted as ‘lovely’ is ‘ye-di-DOT’ יְּדִיד֥וֹת which has the same root as ‘dod’ (lover) and ‘do-DEEM’ (lovemaking).
It is so easy for our relationship with G-d to get stale. I pray that reading Psalm 84 sparks a memory of a time and a place where your relationship with G-d was passionately on fire. Maybe that passion was sparked by passing through a time of trial and recognizing G-d’s presence throughout the experience; or perhaps it was a particular worship service where the Holy Spirit’s presence was crystal clear; or possibly it was a vacation with your family where everyone just connected and the blessings of G-d were so evident.
I pray that reading Psalm 84 will create a spirit of anticipation for your next encounter with G-d and that today begins or continues that journey.
Godspeed,
DWach
PS … DJ Revonda reached into the archives for today’s classic praise and worship song based on Psalm 84: 10 “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”