the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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New Living Translation
Psalms 84:6
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Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;The early rain also wraps it up with blessings.
Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They iourneying through the vale of teares: (yea when euery cesterne [at their name] is filled with water) do accept it for a [fayre pleasaunt] well.
Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a well-spring; yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.
Passing through the valley of weeping, they will make it a fountain; even the early rain covers with blessings.
They travel through Baca Valley, which God has made into a place of springs. Autumn rains form pools of water there.
Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
Who passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well: the raine also filleth the pooles.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
Which goinge thorow the vale of mysery, vse it for a well, and the poles are fylled with water.
Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings.
Going through the valley of balsam-trees, they make it a place of springs; it is clothed with blessings by the early rain.
Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; Yes, the early rain covers it with blessings.
[Who] passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
As they pass through the Baca Valley, he provides a spring for them. The rain even covers it with pools of water.
When they reach Dry Valley, springs start flowing, and the autumn rain fills it with pools of water.
How happy the man whose strength is in you, in whose heart are [pilgrim] highways.
They going through the vale of Baca, make welles therein: the raine also couereth the pooles.
They have passed through the valley of weeping, and have made it a dwelling place; the Lawgiver shall cover it with blessings;
Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
Happy is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the highways.
As they pass through the dry valley of Baca, they make it a place of good water. The early rain fills the pools with good also.
O God, thou wilt turn and quicken us; and thy people shall rejoice in thee.
Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; even the autumn rain covers it with pools.
As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Passing through the balsam-vale, A place of fountains, they make it, Yea, with blessings, is it covered by the early rain.
(83-7) In the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.
Passing through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring. The early rain covers it with blessings as well.
As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Passing through the Valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it like a spring. The autumn rains fill it with pools of water.
As they pass through the dry valley of Baca, it becomes a place of springs; the autumn rain fills it with pools.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings.
in the valei of teeris, in the place which he hath set.
Those passing through a valley of weeping, A fountain do make it, Blessings also cover the director.
As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Contextual Overview
For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven's Armies. 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord . With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God! 4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude 5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord , who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. 7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Who: Psalms 66:10-12, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 7:14
Baca: etc. or, mulberry-trees, make him a well, etc. Baca is probably a large shrub, which the Arabs still call baca, (see note on 2 Samuel 5:23); and this valley, as Celsius observes, seems to be one "embarrassed with (such) bushes and thorns, which could not be passed without labour and tears" - bacah, as 7; MSS, LXX, Aquila, and Vulgate read. 2 Samuel 5:22-24
the rain: Psalms 68:9, 2 Kings 3:9-20
filleth: Heb. covereth
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:17 - Ye shall not
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Who passing through the valley of Baca,.... Kimchi interprets it a valley of springs, or fountains, taking the word to be of the same signification as in Job 38:16, and mention being made of a well and pools in it, or of mulberry trees, which grow, as he says, in a place where there is no water, and such a place was this; and therefore pools or ditches were dug in it, and built of stone, to catch rain water for the supply of travellers; and so Aben Ezra says, it is the name of a place or valley where were trees, called mulberries; and is by some thought to be the same with the valley of Rephaim, where we read of mulberry trees, 2 Samuel 5:22, the Septuagint render it "the valley of weeping", and the Vulgate Latin version "the valley of tears"; which have led some interpreters to think of Bochim, a place so called from the children of Israel weeping there, Judges 2:1, it does not seem to design any particular place, through which all the males could not pass from the different parts of the land of Israel, as they came to Zion at the three grand festivals; but any difficult and troublesome place, any rough valley, or dry and thirsty land, where there was no water: so saints are passengers, travellers, or pilgrims, in this world, and often pass through a valley; are in a low valley, through the weakness of grace; a rough one, through affliction; and a dark one, through desertion and temptation; and a valley of weeping and tears, on account both of outward and inward trials. The way to Zion, or to the house and ordinances of God below, lies through the valley of weeping; none come rightly thither but who come weeping over their sins and unworthiness; or by repentance towards God, and by looking by faith to Christ whom they have pierced, and mourning for it; see Jeremiah 50:4 and the way to Zion above lies through a vale of tears, shed in plenty by reason of sin, a man's own, original and actual, the sins of professors and profane, by reason of Satan's temptations, the hidings of God's face, and the distresses, divisions, and declensions of Zion; yet relief is afforded, help is given, refreshment is had, in this valley, for such passengers:
they make it a well; either the valley a well with their tears, an hyperbolical expression, like that in Lamentations 2:18 or they account it as such, a dry valley, as if it was a well watered place; look upon all their toil and labour in going to the house of God as a pleasure; and esteem all reproach, afflictions, and persecutions, they meet with from the world, or relations, for the sake of religion, as riches and honours; or they find a supply, which is kindly and graciously given, even rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of valleys, streams of divine love, and precious promises in a wilderness,
Isaiah 41:18 "or make him a well" a: that is, God himself; they account of him as such; they find him to be so, and make use of him as one, who is a well of living waters; such are his love, his covenant, and his grace; such are his Son and his fulness, his Spirit, the gifts and graces of it; all which yield a rich supply:
the rain also filleth the pools; of the word and ordinances: "or the rain covereth with blessings" b; the rain of divine love covers the passengers with spiritual blessings, which flow from it; Christ, whose coming is compared to the rain, brings a train of blessings with him to his people; and the Gospel, which drops as the rain, and distils as the dew, is full of the blessings of Christ; is a glorious revelation of them, and is the means of conveying them to the saints; or the "teacher covereth", or "is covered with blessings" c; the great Teacher of all, God, Father, Son, and Spirit; the Father teaches all his children to great profit and advantage, and covers or blesses them with all spiritual blessings; the Son is a teacher come from God, and is covered or loaded with the blessings of goodness, and communicates them to his disciples and followers; and the Spirit teacheth all things, and takes of the things of Christ, the blessings of his grace, and covers his people with them; and all under teachers, ministers of the Gospel, are clothed with salvation, and come forth in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.
a מעין ישיתוהו "fontem constituunt eum", Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Ainsworth "Deum ipsum", Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis. b ברכות יעטה מורה "quam in benedictionibus operit pluvia", Cocceius. c "Benedictionibus operietur docens", Montanus; "benedictiones induit doctor", Gejerus, Michaelis; so Gussetius, p. 725.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Who passing through the valley of Baca - This is one of the most difficult verses in the Book of Psalms, and has been, of course, very variously interpreted. The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, Luther, and Professor Alexander, render it a valley of tears. The word “Baca” (בכא bâkâ') means properly weeping, lamentation; and then it is given to a certain tree - not probably a mulberry tree, but some species of balsam - from its weeping; that is, because it seemed to distil tears, or drops of balsam resembling tears in size and appearance. It is translated mulberry trees in 2 Samuel 5:23-24; 1 Chronicles 14:14-15; and so in the margin here, “mulberry trees make him a well.” There is no reason, however, to think that it has that meaning here. The true rendering is, “valley of lamentation,” or weeping; and it may have reference to some lonely valley in Palestine - where there was no water - a gloomy way - through which those commonly passed who went up to the place of worship. It would be vain, however, to attempt now to determine the locality of the valley referred to, as the name, if ever given to it, seems long since to have passed away. It may, however, be used as emblematic of human life - “a vale of tears;” and the passage may be employed as an illustration of the effect of religion in diffusing happiness and comfort where there was trouble and sorrow - as if fountains should be made to flow in a sterile and desolate valley.
Make it a well - Or, a fountain. That is, It becomes to the pilgrims as a sacred fountain. They “make” such a gloomy valley like a fountain, or like a road where fountains - full, free, refreshing - break forth everywhere to invigorate the traveler. Religious worship - the going up to the house of God - turns that in the journey of life which would otherwise be gloomy and sad into joy; makes a world of tears a world of comfort; has an effect like that of changing a gloomy path into one of pleasantness and beauty. The idea here is the same which occurs in Isaiah 35:7, “And the parched ground shall become a pool” (see the notes at that passage); and in Job 35:10, “Who giveth songs in the night” (see the notes at that passage); an idea which was so beautifully illustrated in the case of Paul and Silas in the jail at Philippi, when, at midnight they “sang praises to God” Acts 16:25, and which is so often illustrated in the midst of affliction and trouble. By the power of religion, by the presence of the Saviour, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, such times become seasons of purest joy - times remembered ever afterward with most fervent gratitude, as among the happiest periods of life. For religion can diffuse smiles over faces darkened by care; can light up the eye sunk in despondency; can change tears of sorrow into tears of joy; can impart peace in scenes of deepest sorrow; and make the most gloomy vales of life like green pastures illuminated by the brightness of noonday.
The rain also filleth the pools - Margin, “covereth.” This is a still more difficult expression than the former. The Septuagint and the Vulgate render it, “The teacher - the lawgiver - ὁ νομοθετῶν ho nomothetōn - “legislator” - gives blessings.” Luther, “The teachers shall be adorned with many blessings.” Gesenius, “Yea, with blessings the autumnal rain doth cover it.” DeWette, “And with blessing the harvest-rain covers it,” which he explains as meaning,” Where they come, though it would be sorrow and tears, yet they are attended with prosperity and blessing.” Professor Alexander, “Also with blessings is the teacher clothed.” The word rendered “rain” - מורה môreh - is from ירה yârâh, to throw, to cast, to place, to sprinkle, and may denote
(1) an archer;
(2) the early rain
(3) teaching, Isaiah 9:15; 2 Kings 17:28; or a teacher, Isaiah 30:20; Job 36:22.
It is rendered rain, in the place before us; and former rain twice in Joel 2:23 (margin, a teacher). The word rendered “filleth” means properly to cover, and would be fitly so translated here. Compare Leviticus 13:45; Ezekiel 24:17, Ezekiel 24:22. The word has not naturally the idea of filling. The word rendered “pools” - ברכות berâkôth - if pointed in one manner - ברכה berêkâh (in the singular) - denotes a pond, pool, or basin of water; if pointed in another manner - ברכה berâkâh - it means blessing, benediction, and is often so used in the Scriptures, Genesis 27:12; Genesis 28:4; Genesis 33:11; Proverbs 11:11,...The rendering of Gesenius, as above, “Yea, with blessings the autumnal rain doth cover it,” (that is, the valley so desolate in the heat of summer - the valley of weeping), would perhaps be the most natural, though it is not easy to see the connection according to this interpretation, or according to any other proposed.
Least of all is it easy to see the connection according to the translation of the Septuagint, the Vulgate, Luther, and Prof. Alexander. Perhaps the connection in the mind of the author of the psalm may have been this. He sees the sterile and desolate valley through which the pilgrims are passing made joyous by the cheerfulness - the happiness - the songs - of those who are on their way to the house of God. This fact - this image - suggests to him the idea that this is similar to the effect which is produced in that valley when copious rains descend upon it, and when, though commonly desolate, it is covered with grass and flowers, or is “blessed” by the rain. This latter image is to his mind an illustration of the happy scene now before him in the cheerful and exulting movements of the pilgrims on their way to the house of God. The one suggests the other; and the psalmist has a combined image before his mind, the one illustrating the other, and both showing how a vale naturally desolate and sterile may be made cheerful and joyous.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Psalms 84:6. Passing through the valley of Baca make it a well — Instead of bacha, a mulberry-tree, seven MSS. have בכה becheh, mourning. I believe Baca to be the same here as Bochim, Judges 2:1-6, called The Valley of Weeping. Though they pass through this barren and desert place, they would not fear evil, knowing that thou wouldst supply all their wants; and even in the sandy desert cause them to find pools of water, in consequence of which they shall advance with renewed strength, and shall meet with the God of Israel in Zion.
The rain also filleth the pools. — The Hebrew may be translated differently, and has been differently understood by all the Versions. גם ברכות יעטה מורה gam berachoth yaateh moreh; "Yea, the instructor is covered or clothed with blessings." While the followers of God are passing through the wilderness of this world, God opens for them fountains in the wilderness, and springs in the dry places. They drink of the well-spring of salvation; they are not destitute of their pastors. God takes care to give his followers teachers after his own heart, that shall feed them with knowledge; and while they are watering the people they are watered themselves; for God loads them with his benefits, and the people cover them with their blessings.
