November 18, 2023 - Psalm 84

If no one minds (I hope not.), I would like to step away from my regular schedule of reading through the Scriptures and turn back to the Psalms, specifically Psalm 84. Yesterday was a tough day for us with Donna’s mom becoming so weak and, then, passing away as we tried to get her to urgent care. She has been through a lot, especially since the spring. The phrase came to me: “the veil of tears.” I have often heard this wording, and I found a reference to Psalm 84: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs” (84:5-6). A better translation seems to be “through the Valley of Weeping,” bringing to mind David’s words in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Here, the sons of Korah articulate what we all know, i.e., this fallen world is filled with sorrow, and they find themselves, like us, longing for something better: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (84:1-2). To be in his presence! To experience all his mercies without even a hint of sorrow! The Lord showed him the vision, and John came to understand, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4). Over and over again, our God assures us of these wonderful promises! Remember Jesus’ words? “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3). Indeed, “The Lord God is a sun and shield . . . O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (84:1-12).

Happy souls! their praises flow

Even in this vale of woe;

Waters in the desert rise,

Manna feeds them from the skies.

On they go from strength to strength,

Till they reach Thy throne at length;

At Thy feet adoring fall,

Who hast led them safe through all. --Henry Francis Lyte (1834)