Psalms 84:1-12
In creation every living creature has found a shelter or a nest. But the believer, like his Lord, does not know true rest down here (v. 3; Matthew 8:20). His affections are elsewhere: in the heavenly mansions where his place is prepared (John 14:2; cf. John 14:2; cf. John 14:10). The focus of v. 3 shows the emotions of the heart which overflows with that which fills it: ". . . thine altars, O LORD of hosts!" The brazen altar and the golden altar speak to us respectively of Christ in His sacrifice, and Christ in His intercession, He whose presence is all that is precious for us in the Father’s house. But the road which leads there goes through a world which is a valley of Baca (or of tears; and the sons of Korah, the authors of this psalm had had their experience of that: Psalms 42:3). What does it matter? If in our hearts this way is set forth before us, in other words if nothing separates us from the One to whom we go, then even the very tears will be changed into happy experiences; we shall go from strength to strength and no longer from failure to failure. Finally, the lovely promises of v. 11 will be our portion. But let us take assurance from v. 9 that the precious secret of answered prayers lies in presenting them in the name of the Lord Jesus, who is God’s Anointed.