King David’s triumphant faith and love for God, no doubt prompted him to declare these beautiful words: “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).
David had adjusted his life to one top priority. He states, “One thing I have desired of the LORD.” How does this “concept” apply to you and me, today? Like David, could one of our top priorities in life is to go to the house of God for worship, praise, and thanksgiving whenever church services are convened?
It seems obvious that David is expressing his heartfelt desire to experience the divine presence of Almighty God in the temple of his day. David’s “one thing” was not actually seeking something from God. Absolutely not. Instead, his desire was to “dwell in the house of the Lord.” God’s sanctuary is where the Divine presence is. The fact that David expressed “One thing I have desired of the Lord” means other desires he may have had paled in comparison to this one that he expressed.
Interestingly, Psalm 84, written by “The Sons of Korah,” is a striking similarity to David’s desire in Psalm 27. ” Psalm 84 reads, “How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home; and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” (Psalm 84:1-4). These verses summarize the blessedness of “dwelling” in the house of God.
J. Vernon McGee appropriately wrote, “This is the one thing that was the aim of David’s life. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and inquire in His temple.” In the house of God was the mercy seat. David needed mercy, and I need mercy—and I am sure you do also. In the house of God was an altar that spoke of the cross of Christ. This provided for David access into the presence of God” (Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee page 720, Vol. II. Thomas Nelson Publishers Nashville).
“To behold the beauty of the LORD; and to inquire in His temple.” The beauty of the Lord must have meant everything to David. Nothing else seemed to compare. Being in God’s presence, David would experience the unparalleled beauty, splendor, majesty, and glory of God. Moses wrote, “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us” (Psalm 90:17).
David also expressed his thirst for God while he was in the wilderness of Judah. He prayed, “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory” (Psalm 63:1,2).
Clearly, David had a heart for God. Not surprising God declared of him, “I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22).
This should also be truly said of Christians. God’s will and purpose is that we do not neglect to worship Him generally and also in His earthly sanctuary, which means a house of worship.
It should be of utmost importance that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ gather together in a corporate setting for worship, praise, thanksgiving, and service to God. And in doing so we can inspire and encourage each other. This is a God honoring and vital aspect of our faith. God’s will be honored and indeed glorified.
David was earnest in his desire for God’s presence. Psalm 27 is all about worshipping the “Most High” God and it is undoubtedly a very inspiring and beautiful Psalm, which creates in Christians a desire and feeling to experience God’s holy and divine presence in our lives.