READ: Ps. 84:1–12: … Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage … They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion … For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory …
In this psalm we hear of a traveller on pilgrimage who is on his way to the temple of the LORD. He has made a long journey with many hardships, but now he is close to the gates of the lovely and exalted dwelling place of the LORD of hosts. He is filled with joy that he may come so near to the LORD, and with a certain holy envy he imagines how even the little birds are allowed to make their nests near the altar. This is a great privilege, for there atonement is made for God’s people, pointing forward to the redeeming work of Christ. To be near this glorious and almighty God of the covenant, to whom he owes everything, is the great purpose of his journey.
How privileged, then, are those who continually dwell in God’s house! The Levites and priests are pronounced blessed for this reason (v.4). At the same time, the psalmist considers himself and all the other pilgrims blessed because they may meet the God of the covenant and praise and honour Him in His presence.
The journey requires much effort, but it follows the well-prepared roads that lead to God’s house. The joy of the prospect of arriving there makes even this difficult journey a joyful one, even when the pilgrims experiences drought (v.6).
Along this difficult road they already experience the blessings of belonging to God. He also gives them strength to continue. That strength only increases as the journey progresses until at last they appear before God in Zion (v.7).
Then it becomes evident that God knows them and is willing to receive them. They may pray to Him, and as the gracious God He will hear their prayer. If they walk uprightly before Him, continue to trust in Him, and shun wickedness, He will withhold no good thing from them but will grant them happiness, grace, protection, and every blessing, with the prospect of everlasting glory (v.11).
Therefore, with great joy, the pilgrim sings to the LORD of hosts: ‘Blessed is the man who trusts in You.’
To what can we compare the pilgrim’s journey?
Sing: Ps. 84:3,4