Psalm 65:4

Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” (Psa 65:4). Choose- (v.) 1. To take by preference out off all that are available; to select; to take as that which one prefers, or in accordance with one’s free will and preference. b) Of God: to elect for eternal happiness; to predestinate to life. Elect- (n) 1. Picked out, chosen; also, chosen for excellence or by preference; select, choice. Also absol. a person or persons chosen. 2. in Theol. Chosen by God, esp. for salvation or eternal life. Opposed to reprobate. Often absol. with plural sense, The Elect. Elect- (v) 1. To pick out, choose (usually, for a particular purpose or function). I. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest...” 1. God chose a people out of mankind for Himself only because He loved them (Deu 7:6-8). 2. God elected His people because He knew them (Isa 45:4 c/w 1Pe 1:2), even though they didn’t know Him. 3. God’s election took place before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4-5) and will ultimately result in the glorification of His people in heaven (Rom 8:28-30). 4. God’s election is not based on our works (good or bad) (Rom 9:11), nor our will or effort (Rom 9:16), but only on God’s love (Rom 9:13) and mercy (Rom 9:16). II. “...and causest to approach unto thee...” Cause- 1. trans. To be the cause of; to effect, bring about, produce, induce, make. Approach- 1. To come nearer (relatively) or draw near (absolutely) in space. 1. God draws us to Himself (Joh 6:44 c/w Job 41:1). Draw- I. Of simple traction. (The most general word for this; other words, partly synonymous, as drag, haul, trail, tug, imply drawing in a particular manner or with special force.) 1. To cause (anything) to move toward oneself by the application of force; to pull. 2. It must be given to us to come to God (Joh 6:65). 3. The Father must be revealed to us by Jesus (Mat 11:27). 4. In order to come to God, we must first believe in Him (Heb 11:6). A. It is given to us to believe in Jesus (Phi 1:29). B. Our faith is born of God (1Jo 5:4). C. Our faith comes through the righteousness of God (2Pe 1:1). D. It takes God’s grace (Act 18:27) and resurrection power (Eph 1:19-20) for us to believe. According – Adj. 1. Agreeing, corresponding to; matching E. God must ordain us to, and give us, eternal life in order for us to believe (Act 13:48 c/w Joh 17:3). Ordain – v. I. To put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare. 1. trans. To arrange in rows or ranks, or other regular order; esp. to draw up in order of battle; to set in array; to array, marshal, order. Obs. F. It is only by Jesus Christ that we can believe in God (1Pe 1:21) and come to Him (Joh 14:6). G. God deals to every man a measure of faith (Rom 12:3). III. “...that he may dwell in thy courts...thy house...thy holy temple.” 1. The reason that God has chosen us and redeemed us is so that we can dwell in His church and worship Him (Psa 65:4). That conj.- 3. a. Introducing a clause expressing purpose, end, aim, or desire: with simple subjunctive (arch.), or with may (pa. tense might), should, rarely shall. 2. The courts were in the house of the LORD (2Ki 21:5; 1Ch 23:28). A. A Christian should desire to dwell in the courts of the Lord, which is the church (Psa 84:2; Psa 84:10; Psa 92:13). Long- To have a yearning desire; to wish earnestly. B. People have been pressing in to the kingdom of God from the beginning (Luk 16:16). i. The kingdom is God’s church (Dan 2:44 c/w Mar 1:14-15 c/w Mat 16:18 c/w Eph 3:21) where His table is (Luk 22:29-30 c/w 1Co 10:16,21). ii. The kingdom/church is entered by repentance, faith, and baptism (Mat 3:1-2,6; Mat 21:31-32 c/w Luk 7:29-30; Act 2:37-42). iii. Paul, our apostle, followed this same pattern (Act 22:14-16 c/w Act 9:18-19, 26). 3. The church is the house of God (1Ti 3:15 c/w Act 7:38; c/w Gen 28:22; 1Pe 2:5; Heb 3:6). A. A Christian should desire to dwell in the house of God, which is the church (Psa 23:6; Psa 26:8; Psa 27:4; Psa 122:1). Dwell- 1) trans. To lead into error, mislead, delude; to stun, stupefy. Obs. 4) To abide or continue for a time, in a place, state, or condition. 7) To remain (in a house, country, etc.) as in a permanent residence; to have one's abode; to reside, live. 4. The church is the temple of God (1Co 3:16 c/w 1Co 1:2; Eph 2:19-22). A. A Christian should desire to dwell in the temple of God, which is the church (Psa 27:4). B. Praise, worship, and admiration of God are done in the temple, which is the church (Psa 29:9; Psa 48:9; Heb 2:12; Eph 3:21; Psa 107:32; Psa 111:1). 5. Just as it was in the O.T. God has chose a place for His people to worship Him (Deu 12:10-11). A. We are not to worship Him wherever we want (Deu 12:13-14). B. This pattern remains under the N.T. (Joh 4:20-24). C. If we do it God’s way, it will go well with us (Deu 12:28). IV. Putting it all together. 1. The purpose that God had in electing His people and saving them from their sins was so they could worship Him in His church in this earth (Psa 65:4; Psa 135:1-4) and in heaven for eternity. 2. The church is referred to as the elect many times in the Bible because all of the elect should be members of the church. A. Paul refers to the members of the Colossian church as the elect of God (Col 3:12). B. Paul told the members of the church at Thessalonica that they were elect because the gospel came to them in power (1Th 1:4-5). Obviously it came with enough power and conviction to cause them to submit to God in baptism and be joined to the church (Act 2:37-42,47). C. Peter wrote to a church and referred to them as elect (1Pe 1:2 c/w 1Pe 4:17). D. The saints in the church of Babylon were elected (1Pe 5:13). E. Peter writes to the brethren and tells them to make the election sure (2Pe 1:10). 3. If angels desire to know the manifold wisdom of God by the church, shouldn’t we more? (Eph 3:10 c/w 1Pe 1:12).