I wrote this piece seven years ago as part of a Psalms project. I was reminded of it recently and wanted to share it here as it relates to what God has been teaching me. I hope it blesses and encourages you today!
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
Psalm 15:1, ESV
I know you all probably aren’t as interested in the Hebrew as I am, but I just really want to share what I’ve been thinking about this verse. In other versions, the two questions feel like repetition.
The KJV asks, “who shall ABIDE…who shall DWELL…?”
The NIV asks, “who may ABIDE…who may DWELL…?”
The HCSB asks, “who can DWELL…who can LIVE…?”
To me (and maybe this is just me), these words all give the same kind of feeling. They don’t necessarily denote any change. In fact, it is very common in Hebraic poetry for two lines to say the same thing in just a slightly different way, so I have never seen anything remarkable about how this is worded. But the ESV distinguishes a bit with the use of the word “sojourn.” What is a sojourn? Merriam Webster defines it like this:
Sojourn, noun; a period of time when you stay in a place as a traveler or guest.
This gives a very specific connotation, I believe. And it seems to be a specific implication in the Hebrew, also:
gûwr, goor; a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest).
But what does the second question ask? The word used in the second part of the verse is different! The word “dwell” in Hebrew is this:
shâkan, shaw-kan’; a primitive root (apparently akin (by transmission) to H7901 through the idea of lodging; to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively).
So in the first question, David is asking, “who can turn aside from his travels and take rest in God’s presence?” But in the second question, David is asking, “who can remain, who can reside in God’s presence?” This is a fascinating distinction. It shows, already, a change in relationship.
First, that God welcomes us, weary travelers, into His presence; and second, that He then invites us to reside there—to make His presence our permanent dwelling.
Too often, I forget that He welcomes me into His presence. He doesn’t begrudgingly allow me to approach Him or spend time resting in His tent. He makes a place for me and genuinely opens His “home” to me! I need not fear or hesitate to come to Him for rest and for a good meal and fellowship; He is there waiting, always. And I think it’s worth noting that David answers the questions right here. I read this chapter and I think, “That’s not me!” But it is, because God has called me His child.
It is our striving and working that wearies us on the journey; it is He who does the work of transforming us from weary travelers to residents of His home. And that’s exactly what I’m seeing in this verse—the transforming work of salvation. We are released from the burden of the journey, from the loads we carry; we are invited to rest and find peace; and then we are asked to stay and make it our Home.
To stay and make Him our Home.
From the shores of Wicket Lake;
LOVE THIS!