"Blessed" (Psalm 84.4, 5, 12)

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Mar 1963

There are three stages or phases of blessedness spoken of in Psalm 84, and we wish to call attention to these, one by one, beginning with verse 12, and working back to verse 4. The blessedness of verse 12 will include that grand first experience, so preciously set forth in Psalm 32, the blessedness of transgression forgiven, sin covered, and iniquity not imputed. This is the fundamental blessedness upon which all further blessing must be built, and it is very instructive to note that when this passage is quoted in Romans 4.7, 8 it is prefaced by the words, "Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works" (verse 6). The special importance of this passage in Romans lies in the fact that we are told what God does reckon, while in the psalm we are told what God does not reckon. For if God does not reckon sin, or iniquity, then He does reckon righteousness. How blessed then to know the righteousness of God, which is "unto all them that believe" (Romans 3.22). The word "blessed" might be rendered happy, or very happy.

The happiness of the believer is in exact proportion to his or her faith. The certainty of eternal life depends on the glorious, finished work of the Saviour, but the happiness of the believer depends on the apprehension, by faith, of the completeness of that work.

The blessedness of verse 5 of the psalm is something additional. The man here has grown into some understanding of the revealed desire of God that His people should be gathered together at certain stated times in Zion. So on the great feast days, from the remotest towns or villages of the land, godly men and women came along the highways to Zion. Various groups merged as they drew nearer to the great centre. "They go from strength to strength, every one of them appeareth before God in Zion" (verse 7). Such a man was one of the sons of Korah, who wrote Psalm 42.1-2,

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

So panteth my soul after thee, 0 God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

When shall I come and appear before God?"

What happy times these must have been for godly Israelites, times of song and praise!

Today, we learn from the Holy Scriptures that God has revealed His desire that those whom He saves from eternal doom should be gathered together according to the New Testament pattern. For "they then that received his word were baptized:" then, "added," "and they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2.41-42). Such persons who follow this pattern find that which is the counterpart of the blessing of Psalm 84.5, not now, indeed, an earthly city, or house, but "a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2.5). The happiness of participating in this service is additional to that of being born again and rejoicing in the Saviour's love. Note that here it is a heart experience, "In whose heart are the high ways to Zion."

Zion of old is a type of the "mount Zion" of Hebrews 12.22-24, to which those addressed in the epistle are come. The teaching of the Hebrew letter is occupied with setting forth the truth of God's people today in their priestly service, the great Priest, the better sanctuary, the better hope, indeed all the better things that the people of Old Covenant days looked forward to in some measure by faith.

The blessedness of verse 4 is the highest of all; it is the realization of that which filled the heart of the man whose heart was set on the high ways to Zion. It is summed up in the words, "still praising Thee." What a consummation! So it was written, "Praise waiteth for Thee, 0 God, in Zion " (Psalm 65.1).

The earlier revelation to Moses of the sacrificial service was added to by revelation to David, who was privileged to inaugurate the service of song (see 1 Chronicles 15.16, and especially 16.7). This was continued in the days of Solomon, as we read in 2 Chronicles 5.12-14. There can be no higher service afforded to any creature than to be still praising Him, who is indeed above all blessing and praise. When Solomon had completed the construction of the Temple, and the various services were set in order, it is recorded in 1 Chronicles 9.88, "And these are the singers, heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, who dwelt in the chambers and were free from other service: for they were employed in their work day and night." These singers "dwelt" there; they were engaged "day and night." Thus the unceasing service of song was instituted, a faint picture of that heavenly scene where mighty hosts for ever praise Him that sitteth on the throne, and the Lamb.

For God's gathered people today,

"On earth the song begins,

In heaven more sweet and loud."

It is good to anticipate the service to which we all are hastening, namely to share in the glad anthems of heaven, by here and now being engaged in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God" (Colossians 3.16). This is part of the collective service of the gathered people of God today, who are expected to engage in holy priesthood service; and also to seek, as a royal priesthood, to "shew forth the excellencies of Him, who called" us "out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1 Peter 2. 9). Gathered as a holy priesthood, we behold the beauty of the Lord; witnessing as a royal priesthood, we show forth what we know of His excellencies; for both services we are entirely dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit, as Paul says, "We are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God" (Philippians 3.8), and also in proclaiming the gospel, he says he did it, "not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth" (1 Corinthians 2.13). May all who read these lines know the triple joy of

Blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee,"

Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee

In whose heart are the high ways to Zion,"

and, "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house:

They will be still praising Thee."

Jarvis, A. G. | Mar 1963
General