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Psalm 84:10
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.
Preached 17 September 1767 [1]
David styled the man after God’s own heart on account of his love to the Word, ways, people and ordinances of God. He was driven into the wilderness, but retained the savour. He breaks forth at a distance – how amiable [2] – he accounts those only happy who dwell there and here expresses his own preference. The spirituality of his frame shows the Lord is not confined to means, though he has bound us, and his language may teach us to prize our privileges.
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The comparison signifies either: |
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1. |
the lowest condition, or |
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the smallest glimpse |
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as opposed either to the tents or to dwell. |
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Reasons: |
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It is the house of God – in the house are: |
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1.1 |
presence |
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1.2 |
provision |
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1.3 |
protection |
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2. |
the house of my God |
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2.1 |
The God that answered me in the day of my distress, and has won my heart. |
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2.2 |
My God who permits me to plead the nearest relation – not as a servant or stranger but as a child. |
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2.3 |
My God who has made himself known in a way of worship and taught me what to expect. Psalm 63[?]. |
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2.4 |
My God who will be my portion for ever. Till I can see him as he is, I would see him as I may. |
[Observations]
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If you are not of David’s mind, you will not have his portion – and consider what a poor exchange: |
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tents – that is transitory |
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wickedness – this will spoil the relish of all by the way, and the end is death. |
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But you whose hearts go this way: |
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Prize this mercy and set it against all you meet. Isaiah 30:20. [3] |
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Take it as a token for good, a sign of grace. |
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If the earnest is so sweet what will heaven be? |
Endnotes:
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[1] |
Note the link also with verse 2, My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God, to Cowper’s O for a closer walk with God drawn from Psalms 42 and 43. |
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[2] |
Verse 1: How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! |
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[3] |
Isaiah 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: |
Acknowledgements:
Cowper & Newton Museum, John Newton's sermon notebook No. 43
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