Text: Psalm 84:1-7
How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young – Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
Devotion
“The courts of the Lord” were in the Tabernacle and later the Temple of the Old Covenant, but the real “courts of the Lord” are the Christian Church. Without God I am in the world like a sparrow and a swallow that has no nest. But in God’s House, the Holy Church, I have protection and shelter, rest and joy! And the more I taste of the glory of this House, the more I long for it, until I go from the courtyard into the wedding hall itself, from the Church militant on earth to the Church triumphant in heaven. “My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out (with joy) for the living God.” “My poor soul, this frightened little bird, found this beautiful and lovely House of God, when I would have wandered far and would have been homeless forever. I would have been like a lonesome bird on the roof and like a turtledove that has lost its mate” (Johann Arndt). This is a sweet and gentle picture: “The sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young – Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.” I and my family and all God’s friends are sheltered in the House of the Lord of hosts, our King and our God, and we dwell there as long as exile endures. Then the valley of tears must become a peaceful meadow and an early rain covering it with blessing! If we also shall sow seed with longing and weeping, such a glorious harvest of joy shall come from it. Surely among the saints on earth there is always singing amidst tears and dark valleys – we must learn this! But just the same it says: “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You.” – If only God is our strength, that is, our heart entrusts itself to Him alone, and firmly takes comfort in Him without despairing! If only He is our King who rules in our hearts, – our God whom we love, fear, and trust above all things!2
Closing Prayer
Lord, grant us this grace. “O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 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. 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!” (Psa 84:8-12)
Hymn
Lord, my God, You are forever
To my heart so sweet and dear;
In Your House one day is better
Than a thousand on earth drear.
For life’s struggles that I meet
Your Word grants me rest so sweet;
Ever gladly will I follow
And forget my daily sorrow.
Outwardly my heart is chilling
And this world becomes so cold;
Faith grows weak, hope’s voice then stilling,
Weeds spring forth more strong and bold.
Life and fortune pass away,
Friends depart and go astray;
Rachel, for her children weeping,
Finds no comfort for her keeping.
Soon to me the Word is coming,
Strong and faithful from my God,
All my hidden thoughts o’ercoming,
Bringing comfort and all good,
Like the thunder, like the flame,
Like the breeze, gentle and tame,
My soul unto heaven bearing,
All my sadness disappearing.
Wallin/Landstad: Herre Gud, du er og bliver L 233:1-3 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Werde munter (ELH 354); alternate hymn: O Jesus, Lord of heavenly grace ELH 487