Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Psalm 84: Questions and Answers

What is the central message of Psalm 84 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the central message of Psalm 84 is about the true nature and joy of knowing God personally. As he explains, "The psalmist is praising and thanking God for all the blessings of the godly and of the religious life." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this psalm demonstrates what "true godly religious life" looks like - being able to rejoice in God even when circumstances are at their worst, as David did when writing this psalm, likely during the rebellion of his son Absalom.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define true religion?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines true religion as consisting primarily in "the knowledge of God." He emphasizes that true religion is not merely social convention, morality, or emotional experience. He states: "The essence of religion, I say, is to know God." This knowledge is not theoretical but personal and experiential. He criticizes those who practice "religion without God" - people who attend worship as part of social custom but "never have rarely thought about God and their relationship to God."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by God as "the living God"?

When Dr. Lloyd-Jones speaks of God as "the living God," he is emphasizing that God is not an abstract idea, concept, or "blessing machine," but a personal, eternal being. He explains: "God is personal. God is the source of all life, is the source of all being. God is eternal. God is everlasting. There is no beginning to God. There will be no end to God." He contrasts this with modern approaches where people treat God as "some kind of great pal" who exists merely to help with their problems.

What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "even thine altars" in Psalm 84?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "even thine altars" refers to the two altars that were essential for approaching God in the Old Testament temple worship:

1. The altar of sacrifice - where animals were slain and their bodies burned
2. The altar of incense - which typified prayer

He states that these altars represent the only way we can approach and know God - through sacrifice for sins and through prayer. In the Christian context, he explains that Christ fulfills both roles: "The blood of sacrifice, the death of Christ, the blood of Christ, the atonement for my sins, and then Christ, the high priest that has entered into the presence of God."

How does one obtain personal knowledge of God according to the sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, personal knowledge of God can only be obtained through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. He states: "There is no knowledge of God except in Jesus Christ and him crucified. There is no other way into his presence." He explains that we must come to God through the "altars" - meaning through Christ's sacrifice for our sins and through Christ's role as our high priest who makes our prayers acceptable to God. As he puts it: "The altars are essential... It's his death that gives us life. It's in and through him the living way that we enter into the presence of God."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones compare believers to sparrows and swallows in the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses the psalm's imagery of sparrows and swallows finding homes at God's altars to illustrate how believers find rest and peace in God through Christ. He asks: "Can you say tonight that you are like the sparrow that has found a house? Or are you like a swallow that at last has found a nest? Have you come to the point of rest and of peace and of satisfaction?" The sparrow and swallow represent those who have found security, peace, and belonging in God's presence through the means He has provided (the altars/Christ).

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as a major problem with modern approaches to religion?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies that a major problem with modern approaches to religion is that "the modern man always starts with himself." He explains: "He really is the center of his own universe. He's only interested in himself and his own welfare and well being and his own reactions. So he starts with himself and he ends with himself. Religion, something that helps me." This self-centered approach contrasts with true religion which "starts with God. There, not here, not with me, but with God. It's objective before it's subjective."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the meaning of "Jehovah" in the psalm?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "Jehovah" (translated as "LORD" in the psalm) refers to God's self-revelation and His covenant relationship with His people. He states: "God has revealed his gracious purposes to mankind. He has revealed himself in promises, in covenants, in pledging himself to do certain things for us and for our well being." He describes Jehovah as "the deliverer, the merciful God, the God of kindness and of compassion, the God of grace, the God of love, the God who tells us that in spite of our sin he has visited us in his son to redeem us."