A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 84, Part 1

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 84, Part 1
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Reading through the Psalms is like traveling through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Rockies are one of the most popular places to live, travel, and vacation. Driving through the Rockies is spectacular! It seems like there’s something new around every curve. It can be breathtaking to see the towering mountain peaks, the deep valleys, the lush landscapes, and the sparkling mountain streams. And then, there are those special places where you want to pullover and park, put down a blanket, and linger for a while as you drink in the wonder of it all…Psalm 84 is one of those lingering places for me. I hope it will be that way for you.
 
The setup of Psalm 84 will be different from the other Psalms we’ve visited together. Instead of the Psalm being the starting point of our devotional, it will be the ending point. Instead of me writing the “insight” portion of the Psalm, I would like you to write it. Here’s how with two simple steps:
 
Step 1– Sometime today or tomorrow find a quiet time and place to slowly read and meditate upon Psalm 84.
 
Step 2–Write down your answers to the five questions below that are at the end of the Psalm.
 
(Please note…in this posting you will be reading Psalm 84 in the Amplified Translation of the Bible)
 
Psalm 84
How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul (my life, my inner self) longs for and greatly desires the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
The bird has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence;
They will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.
Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power];
Each of them appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Listen, O God of Jacob! Selah.
See our shield, O God,
And look at the face of Your anointed [the king as Your representative].
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else];
I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God
Than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor;
No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts,
How blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation] (Psalm 84:1-12 AMP).
 
Question #1
What does this Psalm teach me about God’s presence?
 
Question #2
What spiritual benefits will I receive from the Lord as I live in His presence?
 
Question #3
What promises are there that I can put my trust in?
 
Question #4
What does it mean to trust in the Lord?
 
Question #5
Which verse in Psalm 84 would I like to memorize?

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by April Mullen. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms
Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 83

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 83
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

(God’s enemies) have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You (Psalm 83:4-5, 18).
 
In Psalm 83 we read of conflicts that happened to Israel thousands of years ago that sound like the news headlines of today. It is clear that throughout the entire Bible, from Adam and Eve to the final chapters of the book of Revelation, there has been a battle going on. Enemies of God, His people, and His kingdom are present in every generation.
 
When we experience spiritual warfare as believers we need to be aware that the attacks of the enemy are more against God than they are against us. It is God’s name the enemy wants to slander, it is God’s work the enemy wants to destroy, it is God’s justice the enemy wants to accuse, it is God’s promises the enemy wants to discredit, it is God’s power the enemy wants to weaken, it is God’s character the enemy wants to smear, and it is God’s people the enemy wants to destroy.
 
The ending verse of Psalm 83 ends with a powerful affirmation of God’s glory and His majesty over all things…That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth (Verse 18).
 
This Scripture helps to calm our souls, strengthen our resolve, focus our prayers, build our faith, resist the enemy and fight the good fight of faith. God’s name is the name above all names.
 
All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
-Edward Perronet
 
Insight: Here are a few reassuring, triumphant verses from Revelation 19 that pertain to the final outcomes of spiritual warfare…
And from the throne came a voice that said,
“Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”
Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war…From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.
On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords (Rev 19 NLT).

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms
Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.
meetinginthemeadow.com
BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 82

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 82
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

God stands in the congregation of the mighty;
He judges among the gods (judges)
How long will you judge unjustly,
And show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the poor and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:1-4).
 
Psalm 82 puts the spotlight on judges, those who are in a position of authority over others and make decisions that can impact their lives and futures. Psalm 82 also makes it clear that God is the Judge of all judges, and holds each one responsible and accountable to be fair, true, honest, impartial and righteous in their decisions.

We know that judges are not the only people who have authority over others and can make decisions that will influence or impact their lives and futures. Parents carry that responsibility, so do employers, bosses, executives, ministers, politicians, and teachers.

Each of us, as God’s child, has a God given place in His will, in His kingdom and for His glory. We may be in a place of authority, or under authority but we are all under God’s authority and can function in a way that pleases Him.
 
A prayer as you take your God-given place…

Lord, you are my hiding place, my dwelling place, my safe place, my secret place, my holy place, and my balanced place. Continue to teach me and instruct me to know Your perfect place for me in every choice I make, in every action I take, and in every word I speak.

RAISE UP A BARRIER to hinder me if I am pursuing a place you have not chosen for me;

BRING YOUR WISDOM to me if I am not understanding something about Your ways that needs clarity;

DRY UP ANY POOL I am drinking from that is not being fed by Your river; slow me down if I am going after something that is premature in Your plan for me;

TURN ME FROM ANY CONFIDENCE I am placing in anyone or anything that is taking my eyes off of You.

LORD, KEEP MY HEART FROM COVETING the place you have given others, and guard my heart from envying the ways You are using others. Help me to set my expectations upon You, and not upon the way I think things should be or want them to be.

LORD, SETTLE ME AND HELP ME take my place—not to run from it, or hide from it; not to fear it, or dread it; not to strive in it, or be anxious about it. Help me daily to know the contentment and the joy of serving You in Your appointed place.
Amen
 
 
Insight: The simplest way to function as a person who is under authority is to please the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth. His approval is all that’s needed.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #Godgivenplace

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms
Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.
meetinginthemeadow.com
BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 81

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 81
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

But My people would not heed My voice,
And Israel would have none of Me.
So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart,
To walk in their own counsels.
Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies,
And turn My hand against their adversaries (Psalm 81:11-14).
 
Not everything that happens in someone’s life is God’s will for them. Psalm 81 is a reminder that we can miss out on what God has in His heart for us. Some never start the journey of following the Lord, some lose interest and hold back, and some begin but later walk away. When this happens, God takes no pleasure in it (read verse 13). It breaks His heart!  Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they missed what God had for them. 
 
God Will Make a Way for You
 
If you seek and commit to walk God’s way, God will make a way for you. He is the Way-Maker!

Quiet your heart before Him and pray this prayer:

Lord, I will follow You as You go before me and prepare the way for what is ahead in Your plan. I know that You will see to every detail so that what needs to be done will already be done before I arrive...the path revealed, the direction confirmed, the way established.
 
I trust in You to unlock the doors that need to be opened, loosen the things that need to be untied, and remove the hindrances that need to be taken away.
 
I ask You to provide for all that is needed as I walk along your appointed path. Open my eyes to see the way You are leading, give me the understanding to take the right steps, strengthen me with the patience to move at the right pace and work within my words and actions to say and do things in the right way.
 
I trust in You to do what no one else can do, to work in ways that no one else can work and to do the wonders that no one else can perform. Lord, I thank You that You will make a way!
Amen
 
Insight: Perhaps God’s longing cry of “Oh” spoken in verse 13 echoed through the deepest and furthest chambers of the universe.
 
Insight: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV).

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 80

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 80
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock (Psalm 80:1).
 
Someone once asked me, “Based upon Scripture, what is my favorite name of God?” Yes, it was hard to decide. It came down to two. Both names had to do with my relationship with God. The first was the name “Father”. The name “Shepherd” was a close second.
 
In Psalm 80, the psalmist immediately calls upon the Lord as the “Shepherd of Israel”. Calling God “Shepherd” doesn’t mean much unless you’re a sheep. A wolf doesn’t need a shepherd!
 
Here are three main reasons why sheep need a shepherd:

• Sheep stand no chance against an enemy. The only shield they can stand behind is the rod of a shepherd.
• Sheep have no internal GPS. When they get lost, they are lost. Their shepherd needs to be out front leading them, not lagging behind at the back of the flock.
• Sheep are very emotional and insecure. Yelling at the top of your lungs may work for a cowboy herding cattle, but sheep need to hear the reassuring voice of their shepherd.

 
Since the Lord is our perfect Shepherd, and we are His needy sheep, here are a few prayers we can pray:
 
Lord,
You are a speaking Shepherd. I love the sound of Your voice. I love Your words. I love Your tone. I love the things I hear that come from Your heart. I am listening. I am ready to follow.
 
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:4).

Lord,
Your name is Chief Shepherd, You are in control…when I try to be, things can quickly unravel. Thank You for the security that comes when I take things out of my hands and place them into Yours. You run things so well!

The LORD is my shepherd (Psalm 23:1).
 
Lord,
Thank You for feeding me. I’ve never followed You anywhere and ended up eating sand…even if I were in a desert place, I know I would find Your stream, and it would bring me to green pastures.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures ( Psalm 23:2).
 
Lord,
We are on a steep climb today…thank You for the resting places You prepare along the way. In these quiet moments, as I wait upon You,
Restore my soul.

He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3).
 
Insight: Because the Lord calls us His sheep, He knows how needy we are and how dependent we are upon Him. He wouldn’t want it any other way!

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com