Psalm 84

Psalm 84 expresses a deep longing not merely for the temple but for the presence of God, whose glory dwelt there and who graciously made a way for sinful people to approach him; for Christians, this longing ultimately points to Jesus, since God now dwells in his people by the Holy Spirit and heaven is desirable because Christ is there. The psalm also encourages those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage: even through the dry and tearful valleys of life, God gives strength and transforms his people from glory to glory, because their lives are united with Christ, the victorious Messiah whose righteousness, death and resurrection become theirs. The psalm therefore calls us to look to Christ alone for salvation, turning from sin and trusting him for new life, while also reminding Christians that worship is not confined to a church building or Sunday gathering: we are to “taste heaven” every day by spending time with God and choosing to live under Christ’s good rule. Like the psalmist, we are blessed as we seek God’s presence, find strength in Christ for the journey, and trust him enough to obey him, looking forward to the day when we will be with him forever.