The Glorious Goodness of God (Psalm 84:10-12)

[For] a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. ¹¹For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. [¹²O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!] —Psalm 84:10–12

We are surrounded by good things. Every day we hear and see goodness. We hear it in songs that are beautiful and true, feel it in a warm hug from a relative, and even taste it as we drink every last drop of a chocolate milkshake. We see and enjoy many good things in life.

Without diminishing the goodness of the things we see and enjoy, however, Psalm 84 shows us that God’s goodness is even better. The best good in our life is inadequate to truly satisfy our hearts. There is a more glorious goodness that transcends every other good thing–God Himself.  The goodness of God surpasses anything we could ever want and supplies everything we will ever need. 

God of Surpassing Goodness

The psalmist starts with two comparisons that show us God’s goodness is infinitely better than anything else.

First, God’s goodness surpasses even the good things in this life. Our verses declare that just one day with God is better than a thousand elsewhere (v. 10). The intentionally vague description of the “thousand days” helps us feel the weight of this truth. By not describing the nature of the thousand days, the text is telling us that even if those thousand days were the best days we could imagine, they wouldn’t be better than just one day in His heavenly court.

Second, not only is one day in His presence better than a thousand good days in this world, the chance to catch a glimpse of His throne room is better than the temporary pleasures of sin. Sin promises us that if we would enter its tent and settle in we would have all the comfort and joy we want. At best, it's a temporary home of counterfeit fleeting goodness.

By contrast, in the house of the Lord we find true, lasting goodness. The psalmist declares it would be better to be on the outskirts of God’s house than to be in the inner rooms of sin’s tent. He wants us to see that God’s goodness is so glorious that if you can simply stand at the threshold of His house you will be filled with more joy than sin could ever provide. Charles Spurgeon said, “God’s worst is better than the devil’s best” (Daily Treasure, 219). 

God Who Supplies Goodness

Amazingly, God doesn’t give His worst. He gives His best: “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (v. 11). What a marvelous thought! Our gloriously good God doesn’t hold back any good thing.

The wonder of this reality, however, is qualified by the phrase “those who walk uprightly.” Does this mean God only gives good things to those who earn them? To answer this question, it’s important to read what the psalmist says immediately prior in verse 11. He says God “bestows favor and honor” which literally means He “gives grace and glory.” In giving grace, the Lord is giving an undeserved and unearned gift. This means that while we are called to walk uprightly, our obedience doesn’t earn good things from Him–the good things are gifts of grace.

As Christians, we know this to be true because we have received the greatest gift of all–forgiveness in Jesus. Paul says, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). The Lord Jesus is the proof that the promise of Psalm 84 is true: God will not withhold any good thing from His people!

Not only is the Lord gloriously good, Christian, He has bestowed upon you the greatest gift of goodness you could ever want or need–the Lord Jesus Himself. When the goods of this world call to your heart or when the darkness of the world dims your view of God, remember that the Lord surpasses all goodness this world has to offer and supplies His people with all the good things they will ever need. Then, and only then, can we cry out with the psalmist, “Blessed is the one who trusts in you” (v.12). 

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For Reflection

1. What good things in this world do you find yourself wanting more than you want God?

2. How does knowing that God doesn’t withhold any good thing from his people encourage you in your walk with Jesus?

3. When are you prone to think God is withholding good things from you? How do Psalm 84 and Romans 8:32 help you?

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Ben James is the Associate Pastor of Chapelwood Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. He has served Chapelwood since 2020, beginning as an elder and going on staff in 2022 following his graduation from Indianapolis Theological Seminary in 2022. He also serves on the Administrative Team of Plant Indy which works alongside churches in the central Indiana area to plant and revitalize churches. He is married to Brentyn, and they have three wonderful children.