MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Psalm 84:1-12
1 Peter 2:9-10

“… not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.”

“WE’RE MARCHING TO ZION, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL ZION”

The above is the first line of the refrain, added by Robert Lowry (1826-99) to Isaac Watt’s “Come We that Love the Lord,” so sweet to churchgoers, is borrowed for the title of this Psalm. The sons of Korah are the Levitical choir made up of the descendants of Korah appointed by David to sing in the temple.

Though the authorship of this Psalm is not mentioned, it breathes the spirit of David, whose happiest desire was to build God a House.

Pilgrimages to the Tabernacle were a great feature of Jewish life. Families journeyed together, making bands that grew at each halting place. They camped in sunny glades, sang in unison along the roads, toiled together over the hill and through the valley, and as they went along, stored up happy memories which would never be forgotten.

In our modern context this Psalm is surely expressive of a Christian and his family serving overseas in some foreign country where there is no Church to attend. We have been told such a case in some strict Muslim countries. The only chance of joining in worship was at the embassy of a Christian country. How he longed to worship at his home Church and fellowship with brethren and sisters of the same faith, where Jesus Christ is highly exalted. The House of God is open to everybody, even sparrows and swallows (not in the family of clean birds like the pigeon and dove) are welcome. Any non-Christian is welcome to sit in God’s House to hear the Word preached, but more blessed are they who have become God’s children, gaining a place to stay in His House.

THOUGHT: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!” (Ps 84:1)
PRAYER: May I dwell in Thy House and be still praising Thee all my days, O Lord.