Psalm , Sarah Barry
THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE SET ON PILGRIMAGE
Passage: Psalm 84:1~12  
Key verse: 5
Psalm 84[a]For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,(A)
Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns,(B) even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.(C)
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,(D)
Lord Almighty,(E) my King(F) and my God.(G)
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[c]
5 Blessed are those whose strength(H) is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.(I)
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;(J)
the autumn(K) rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,(L)
till each appears(M) before God in Zion.(N)
8 Hear my prayer,(O) Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[e](P) O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.(Q)
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper(R) in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun(S) and shield;(T)
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold(U)
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed(V) is the one who trusts in you.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,(A)
Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns,(B) even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.(C)
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,(D)
Lord Almighty,(E) my King(F) and my God.(G)
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[c]
5 Blessed are those whose strength(H) is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.(I)
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;(J)
the autumn(K) rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,(L)
till each appears(M) before God in Zion.(N)
8 Hear my prayer,(O) Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[e](P) O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.(Q)
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper(R) in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun(S) and shield;(T)
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold(U)
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed(V) is the one who trusts in you.
Footnotes
- Psalm 84:1 In Hebrew texts 84:1-12 is numbered 84:2-13.
- Psalm 84:1 Title: Probably a musical term
- Psalm 84:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.
- Psalm 84:6 Or blessings
- Psalm 84:9 Or sovereign
Cross references
- Psalm 84:1 : S Dt 33:27; Ps 27:4; 43:3; 90:1; 132:5
- Psalm 84:2 : S Job 19:27
- Psalm 84:2 : S Jos 3:10
- Psalm 84:3 : S Ps 43:4
- Psalm 84:3 : Jer 44:11
- Psalm 84:3 : Ps 2:6
- Psalm 84:3 : Ps 5:2
- Psalm 84:5 : Ps 81:1
- Psalm 84:5 : Jer 31:6
- Psalm 84:6 : S Job 38:26
- Psalm 84:6 : Joel 2:23
- Psalm 84:7 : S Job 17:9
- Psalm 84:7 : S Dt 16:16
- Psalm 84:7 : 1Ki 8:1
- Psalm 84:8 : Ps 4:1
- Psalm 84:9 : S Ps 59:11
- Psalm 84:9 : 1Sa 16:6; Ps 2:2; 18:50; 132:17
- Psalm 84:10 : 1Ch 23:5
- Psalm 84:11 : Isa 60:19; Jer 43:13; Rev 21:23
- Psalm 84:11 : S Ge 15:1
- Psalm 84:11 : Ps 34:10
- Psalm 84:12 : Ps 2:12
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Source:  BibleGateway
1. My soul yearns for the living God (1-4)
The psalmist's deepest desires are spiritual desires. When worldly desires occupy my heart, my heart and flesh cannot cry out for God. My deepest desire must be to know God and to dwell in his presence. Those who are really blessed are those who dwell with the living God.
2. Set your heart on pilgrimage (5-12)
Life is a pilgrimage toward God's eternal city. When we set our hearts on this pilgrimage, God strengthens and blesses us. As we travel through the desert-like world, we become a blessing to those whom our lives touch. But we must trust God and know that a day with God is better than a thousand days of worldly life. It is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. God does not withhold any good thing from those whose hearts are set on this holy pilgrimage.
Prayer: Lord, purify my desires and give me strength for the holy pilgrimage.
One Word: Set your heart on pilgrimage.