Patreon - support me? <a href="https://patreon.com/JasonSilver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://patreon.com/JasonSilver</a><br /><br />Please check out these links:<br /><br />Sheet Music - <a href="https://www.jasonsilver.com/static/music/146-psalm-84" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.jasonsilver.com/static/music/146-psalm-84</a><br />Instagram - <a href="https://instagram.com/Jason_Silver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://instagram.com/Jason_Silver</a><br />Facebook - follow me? <a href="https://facebook.com/JasonSilverMusic" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://facebook.com/JasonSilverMusic</a><br />Twitter - follow me? <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonSilver" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/JasonSilver</a><br /><br />----<br /><br />This Psalm is used often in different religious traditions for the dedication of a temple, cathedral, or church. It makes sense: the author sings about the loveliness of God's house, and how he'd rather be there than anywhere else!<br /><br />As I considered this, it got me to thinking: wouldn't it be different for Christians, since Jesus came to dwell in our bodies, making us living temples of his Holy Spirit?<br /><br />Well, for one thing– we don't need to go to a special building to meet with God. He lives within us, and we can find him in the hearts of our brothers and sisters in Christ! <br /><br />That's great news for me, because there's something supernatural about standing alone in the woods, with running water nearby maybe; the tall pines and oak trees like pillars in a temple of the forest. Everywhere you look, new life springs up, finding protection in the cracks of rocks, surviving on the life-giving water in such plentiful supply.<br /><br />I still love worshipping with others at church, of course! However, there's something very meaningful to me in getting away from the hubbub, technology everywhere, and to acquaint myself with what it means to be a creature in creation.<br /><br />-----<br /><br />Psalm 84 <br />The Joy of Worship in the Temple<br /><br />1 How lovely is your dwelling place,<br /> O Lord of hosts!<br />2 My soul longs, indeed it faints<br /> for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh sing for joy<br /> to the living God. <br />3 Even the sparrow finds a home,<br /> and the swallow a nest for herself,<br /> where she may lay her young,at your altars, O Lord of hosts,<br /> my King and my God.<br />4 Happy are those who live in your house,<br /> ever singing your praise.<br />Selah <br />5 Happy are those whose strength is in you,<br /> in whose heart are the highways to Zion.[a]<br />6 As they go through the valley of Baca<br /> they make it a place of springs;<br /> the early rain also covers it with pools.<br />7 They go from strength to strength;<br /> the God of gods will be seen in Zion. <br />8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;<br /> give ear, O God of Jacob!<br />Selah<br />9 Behold our shield, O God;<br /> look on the face of your anointed. <br />10 For a day in your courts is better<br /> than a thousand elsewhere.I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God<br /> than live in the tents of wickedness.<br />11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;<br /> he bestows favour and honour.<br /> No good thing does the Lord withhold<br /> from those who walk uprightly.<br />12 O Lord of hosts,<br /> happy is everyone who trusts in you. <br /><br />New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.<br />#scripturesongs<br />...<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUB6kUdyUlE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUB6kUdyUlE</a>