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One characteristic that marks us out as God’s children is our delight in His presence.  “Children are to be in the presence of their father; where the King is, there is the court; where the presence of God is, there is Heaven” – Spurgeon.  

In Psalm 84, David, the psalmist, expressed his deep yearning for the sanctuary.  He deemed it a great blessing to be in the holy assembly with God’s people.  As we continue our meditation of the psalm, may each one of us cultivate that same holy desire for the house of the Lord.

Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  10 For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.   11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.  12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee (vv. 9-12).

The psalmist pleaded for the Lord’s favour upon him (v. 9).  It is likely that “thine anointed” refers to Christ as Mediator.  On the other hand, some commentators see David as “thine anointed.” Despite his frailties, he was the Lord’s anointed king (II Sam. 12: 7). 

How David loved the Lord and His sanctuary!  “I had rather be a doorkeeper” can be translated “I would choose rather to sit at the threshold” – a position of deep humility.  The psalmist would have gladly exchanged that long period of a thousand days (about three years) for that one day just to be in the Lord’s presence. “David loved his Master and loved His work so well that he desired to be tied to this service for ever, to be more free to it, but never to go out free from it, preferring bonds to duty far before the greatest liberty to sin.  Such a superlative delight have holy hearts in holy duties; no satisfaction in their account comparable to that in communion with God” – Matthew Henry.

Israel in the wilderness found both “Sun and Shield” (v 11a) in the fiery cloudy pillar which symbolised Jehovah’s presence – “a sun for happy days and a shield for dangerous ones … Blessed are they who journey with such a convoy; the sunny and the shady side of life are alike happy to them” – Treasury of David.  All along the way, the Lord was their defence from all evil; He kept and refreshed His people in their wilderness journey.  Like them, we who are pilgrims along the heavenly way, are blessed with the Lord’s presence to guide and keep us. 

Should any think himself unworthy of the heavenly kingdom, the psalmist here gave words of encouragement : “the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (v. 11b).  He is the sovereign Lord Who has all agencies under His control and overrules all evil for our good. 

Thus, the lot of the believer is a happy one.  With joy, the psalmist declared: “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee” (v. 12).  Oh that all men would try it, and experience in their souls the joy of trusting in God and depending on His great mercy.

Brethren, may we account one day in God’s courts better than a thousand spent elsewhere; and deem the meanest place in his service preferable to the highest earthly joy.  If the Lord be truly our God, He will be a Sun to enlighten and guide our way.  He will be to us a Shield to defend us from the day’s evil.  He has promised to give grace and glory to all that seek them according to His will.  “And what is grace, but heaven begun below, in the knowledge, love, and service of God?  What is glory, but the completion of this happiness, in being made like to Him, and in fully enjoying Him forever?  Let it be our care to walk uprightly, and then let us trust God to give us every thing that is good for us  … That man is really happy, whatever his outward circumstances may be, who trusts in the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob” – Matthew Henry.

Reproduced below are the last three stanzas of a song (German Choral Music) based on Psalm 84: 

3. Lord God of hosts, attend unto my prayer!
O Jacob’s God, give ear!
Behold, O God, our Shield, we through Thy care
Within Thy courts appear!
Look Thou upon the glory
Of Thine Anointed’s face;In Him we stand before Thee,
To witness of Thy grace! 

4.  One day with Thee excelleth o’er and o’er
A thousand days apart;In Thine abode, within Thy temple-door,
Would stand my watchful heart.Men tell me of the treasure
Hid in their tents of sin;
I look not there for pleasure,Nor choose to enter in.

5.  Own Thou the Lord to be thy Sun, thy Shield –
No good will He withhold;
He giveth grace, and soon shall be reveal’d
His glory, yet untold.
His mighty name confessing,
Walk Thou at peace and free;
O Lord, how rich the blessing
Of him who trusts in Thee.