Blessing is found in God

Today we move from psalms of Asaph, to psalms for the sons of Korah. This group of psalms begin in a place of great trouble. Remember the title Gittith speaks of a wine-press, and the middle stanza of three in this psalm tells of a journey through a valley of weeping.

Yet the psalm is full of joy, and that is because the psalmist is in the enjoyment of the presence, power and provision of the Lord his God. These are blessings that not even the darkest days of life can take from us.

Are you in the enjoyment of these things? Do you have the same hope the psalmist has?

If not, seek the Lord, recognise your weakness, your sin, and trust the One who has provided salvation by dying for your sin and rising again.

Then come with the rest of us and delight in meditating on this beautiful psalm.

‘To the chief Musician upon Gittith. A Psalm for the sons of Korah.’

Stanza 1 – Blessing found in God’s Presence

‘How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.’

Stanza 2 – Blessing found in God’s Power

‘Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of weeping make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.’

Stanza 3 – Blessing found in God’s Provision

‘Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 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. 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. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.’