Day 163

Psalm 84 Part 2

Baca (v6) is a “noun derived from a verb which signifies to ‘weep’.” This present world is to us a journey of sorrows, spoken here as a ‘valley of weeping.’ In our passage through it, we are refreshed by the streams of divine grace that flow down from the great fountain of consolation.  The NLT translates it as, “When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.  The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.”

With the blessedness expressed by plenty of water in an otherwise dry place,(which life can be,) the pilgrim lives in ‘strength’ and goes to more ‘strength’ (v7). A rich relationship with God is a never-ending supply of strength for the journey, even in difficult seasons. On a normal journey (especially a difficult one), the usual pattern is to go from strength to weakness or fatigue. Not so with those whose strength is in God – ‘they go from strength to strength.’

The journey has a destination – Zion (v5 & 7), the city of God.(The New Jerusalem for us.) The love and longing for the house of God will bring ‘each one’ to his destination, appearing ‘before God in Zion.’ (Heaven) V8 declares that this song from the sons of Korah was more than a declaration; it was also a ‘prayer.’ It was a plea for the plenty spoken of by the supply of water. It was a supplication for the strength that continues and builds.

The connection between God’s grace and His glory (v11) was later on the mind of the Apostle Paul: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Rom5:1-2).

‘Blessed is the person who trusts in You:’ God’s greatness and goodness lead the psalmist to experience and declare the blessedness of trusting in God. The essence of godliness is in submissiveness to the Great King, who will grant his blessings to those who find their refuge in him.” (v12) May you find your refuge in Him today my fellow traveler.