- Blessed
Psalm 84:4
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psalm 84:5
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psalm 84:12
O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
“Blessed is the man….” Once again the formula for the promise of blessing is spoken to believers with certain conditions: if you dwell in God’s house, if your strength is in God, if your trust is in God.
1. Those who dwell in the house of the Lord will be blessed in every way, so much that nothing is left for them to do except praise the Lord continually. To dwell in His House is to live in the Presence of God. Within the presence there is eternal joy, perfect peace, safety and comfort. The presence of God on earth was in the temple in the OT and entrance was granted according to the prescribed ritual of sacrifice and faith. NT Believers enter into the presence, which is now in the hearts of believers, using the same ritual with repentance and confession taking the place of sacrifice followed up by faith. Neither the OT nor NT believer who approaches God necessarily feels the presence of God, but he believes he is accepted by the Lord into His living and protective presence; walk by faith, not by sight. “Dwell in thy house” = living lives surrounded with the love of God. Those people are blessed.
2. The one whose strength is in the Lord will be blessed in every way; in his heart is the highway to God. Any believer who does not rely on his own strength to cope with life and overcome the enemies will discover that the Lord is his strength. He knows he is weak and the Lord is strong for him. Pride in one’s own strength, wisdom, cleverness or ability prevents one from using the benefits of God’s strength. Thus repentance breaks down pride and lets in humility; the Lord lifts up the humble. The strength of Jesus Is far more effective than my own strength.
3. The one who trusts in the Lord will be blessed in every way. When a person is led by the Gospel to give up completely on himself and place his life in the hands of the Creator and Savior and Comforter he is truly blessed. The Lord lives life for him, in him, and through him, directing his decisions and actions and words. Nothing but blessings can come to the person who trusts the Lord for a blessed life, today and tomorrow and forever. God is good and when He has His way in us it is a good way.