God’s Saving Word: Prayer
Introduction
Psalm 84: Today’s reading is a psalm that celebrates the joy of being and living in God’s presence. True happiness comes from depending on God, and the writer expresses longing to be in the LORD’s Temple.
Scripture Reading
Longing for God’s House
84 How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!
2 How I want to be there!
I long to be in the Lord’s Temple.
With my whole being I sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrows have built a nest,
and the swallows have their own home;
they keep their young near your altars,
Lord Almighty, my king and my God.
4 How happy are those who live in your Temple,
always singing praise to you.
5 How happy are those whose strength comes from you,
who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
6 As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,
it becomes a place of springs;
the autumn rain fills it with pools.
7 They grow stronger as they go;
they will see the God of gods on Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.
Listen, O God of Jacob!
9 Bless our king, O God,
the king you have chosen.
10 One day spent in your Temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God
than live in the homes of the wicked.
11 The Lord is our protector and glorious king,
blessing us with kindness and honor.
He does not refuse any good thing
to those who do what is right.
12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 84:2b
I long to be in the LORD’s Temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God.
Reflect
How many times does the word “happy” appear in this psalm? What brings about this happiness?
What makes you happy? How is happiness experienced in your community of faith?
Pray
Almighty God, with my whole being I sing for joy and praise your holy name. You are my source of strength, and my joy comes from trusting in you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 88: A prayer for God’s help.