Today I'm wrapping up Book III of the Psalms by covering Psalm 84, another Psalm from the sons of Korah.
The Psalmist marvels at the dwelling places of the LORD of hosts, even envying the birds who build their nests there, and the temple servants who dwell there. The Psalmist goes on to note how blessed is the man whose strength is in the Lord, passing through the valley of Baca, which my study Bible notes say is not a specific place, but a reference to a place of trouble or desolation, meaning that the faithful pilgrim persists through troublesome times to obtain the blessings of seeking God.
The Psalmist goes on to say this famous verse, put to song and sung as a modern song of praise:
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
The word "wickedness" reveals the meaning of this Psalm -- the house of God is not the temple or any physical building, it is the state of being, the heart and soul of the person who "is a worshiper of God and does His will" (John 9:31), and who worships God in spirit and truth - (John 4:21-24).
The Psalmist closes by noting the blessings God bestows on those who walk uprightly and trust in Him:
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.