How Blessed - Part 2 (God's Presence)

"How blessed is/are ... !" While God's blessing is always undeserved, there are certain aspects that God reveals as specifically opening the windows of blessing. One of those associations is that blessing is found in God's presence. There is blessing associated with fellowship with and closeness to God.

"How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple" (Psalm 65:4). Referring to God's courts, His house, and His holy temple, this verse seems to be focused on the place of worship. There is a blessing in being in that place of nearness to God. There is a satisfaction with its goodness. The blessing seems to be linked to the closeness of fellowship, as these people are near to God. They are dwelling with Him in His house. What a blessed position! What other position or location could be so beneficial and salutary? While the specific emphasis of this verse is on frequenting the place of worship, a level of blessing would certainly be found in closeness to God in other contexts; nevertheless, that constant blessing of nearness to God does not belittle the special blessing that is found in the place of worship. It is interesting that these blessed people are not acting fully of their own volition or of their own initiative to put themselves in the place of blessing. Rather, God has chosen them and has brought them near. Man is naturally alienated from God, but He has selected people and set them apart. Who could ever make himself worthy of God's blessing when God is the one who chooses the people that He then blesses?

"How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You" (Psalm 84:4). The first four verses of this psalm focus on the house of God. It is lovely (v. 1). It is a place that the soul longs for and yearns for (v. 2); something inside man recognizes that there is a special and desirable quality about that place. God's house is like a home for those who have no home, a shelter for those who are frail and dependent (v. 3). God's house, that very special place, is opened freely to all those who want to dwell there. Because dwelling in God's house, a place of blessing, is also a means to blessing, the people who frequent that place have constant reason to praise God.

"How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance" (Psalm 89:15). This blessing is associated with those who know (are acquainted with) the joyful sound, which is a shout of joy. If this phrase were used in a negative or sobering sense, it would refer to a shout of war, an alarm, or a call to march. This sound or shout is somewhat spontaneous and significant, given in response to a specific situation or observation. The shout in this verse is joyful, based not in alarm but in wonder. Based on the rest of the psalm, it seems this shout of joy comes from those who know God well.

The psalm talks much of the revelation of God and His character. He is so amazing that even the heavens praise Him (v. 5), the sea obeys Him (v. 9), and the mountains shout for joy (v. 12). The psalm talks of God's greatness through the covenant made to David, by the fear given by the council of the holy ones, and by His conquest of Rahab (Egypt) and other enemies. The psalm speaks of God's lovingkindness, His faithfulness, His wonders, His incomparable nature, His unmatched might, His deserved fear, His unparalleled awesomeness, His unique might, His sovereign rule, His unstoppable judgment, His creative work, His strength, His righteousness, His justice, and His truth.

The psalmist's intent is to declare these attributes, many of which are also declared by history and by nature. When people hear these declarations and embrace this knowledge, they are compelled to shout with joy. Those who know God well have great reason for rejoicing. They are blessed, and they walk in the light of God's countenance. Their constant journey through life is filled with the illuminating presence of God. This closeness to God, both in knowing His character and in walking in His presence, is a source of blessing.

"For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence" (Psalm 21:6). This psalm is actually a personal testimony of David as king. He recounts the blessings God has given to him. God gave David strength and salvation. God granted David the desires of his heart and the requests of his lips. God gave him good things. God made him king. God preserved his life. God gave him glory, splendor, and majesty. God's blessing to David had an eternal aspect.

This is a special and unique blessing given especially to David, based on the covenant God had made with him. It is interesting to note, however, the concept that David links to his statement of abundant blessing; he associates the blessing with joyfulness and gladness in the presence of God. While this could be just one more thing in the long list of blessings, it is the one statement David makes when he most fully summarizes God's blessing on him. All of those previously mentioned blessings could be interpreted as evidences and results of the close relationship David enjoyed with God. God blessed David because he was a man after His heart. The very heart of David was in fellowship with the heart of God.

There is blessing in daily nearness to God and in having a heart closely linked to Him. There is a special blessing found in frequenting God's house. How blessed indeed to be near to the presence of God!