The poet already sees it all before him. How wonderful it will be for him one day at God’s altar—yes, near God himself. How happy he will be then! As if overflowing with joy. It will then flow forth in all directions. Oh, how he longs for it! To be so close to God, his God. Something more beautiful cannot be imagined!
It is striking how often the Bible speaks of the joy that people can experience when they are close to God. How exuberant that joy was to be experienced in celebrating Israel’s glory days (Deuteronomy 12:7–12). How great was the joy at the bringing of the ark into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12–15) and later at the inauguration of the temple (1 Kings 8:2, 1 Kings 8:65–66). This intense joy resounds repeatedly in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 36:9; Psalm 100:1–5).
This joy is also the keynote of the gospel. Witness the words of the angel to astonished shepherds on that special night near Bethlehem: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people
(Luke 2:10). That intense joy has everything to do with the child Jesus. He himself also speaks about this joy to his disciples, saying: These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full
(John 15:11). This joy of heavenly origin can inspire and spur Christians on earth to persevere in the midst of all the contradicting voices from without and within.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.