How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O LORD of hosts!
My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2 (NASB)
One of my favorite birds from my years of birdwatching is one of the most common in Britain; I speak of the Blackbird, which is a Thrush. The male is black with an orange beak, and the female is brown with a brown beak. One particular attribute endears them to many hearts, which is their beautiful, melodious song as dusk descends. Their sweet notes can be heard above all other birds as darkness descends, and I find it peaceful and spiritually encouraging. As I see it, the Blackbird’s melody is far more than a territorial claim – it is an evensong of praise to their Creator.
I remember many years ago when I had the privilege to attend a church evensong service as dusk fell outside. The gentle prayers and hymns of these services brought us closer to our Father God, that we could glorify Him as He deserves. I remember Psalm 84 “How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place” being sung often in these times of communion.
Dear Reader, how often do we mark both the beginning and ending of each day with communion with our Father God? Do we remember and apply the words of the psalmist: “All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name. Selah” (Psalm 66:4). May our hearts find holy solace in His presence as dusk descends; and our voices rise in worship with the Blackbird’s glorifying the Almighty.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
