Scripture: Psalm 84
Summary:
Emmanuel, Hebrew for “God with us,” is probably the most familiar title ascribed to Jesus in the O Antiphons. Though he does not use the term Emmanuel, this is the Psalmist’s deep longing and joy in Psalm 84…he longs for and delights in the presence of God. Psalm 84 was used by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the yearly feasts, and it expresses their deep joy to be going to the temple where they can draw near to the very presence of God. Whether we recognize it or not, this is the deepest longing of the human heart, and it’s the longing that our Emmanuel came to fulfill. Jesus is Emmanuel in at least three senses: 1. in that he was literally God incarnate among us; 2. in that his death provides the sacrifice we need to return to the presence of God (Heb. 10:20-22); and 3. in that he will one day bring us to live forever in the perfect joy of God’s presence (Rev. 21:1-5).