Bible Commentaries
Psalms 84

Verses 1-12

This Ps. sets forth the attractiveness of the Temple and its worship (Psalms 84:1-4), and the happiness of the pilgrims who gather to it from different parts of the land (Psalms 84:5-7). After a prayer for God’s favour (Psalms 84:8-9), it speaks of the privilege of the humblest office in the Temple (Psalms 84:10), and closes by describing the graciousness of God (Psalms 84:11), and the blessedness of trusting Him (Psalms 84:12). The Ps. belongs to a period when the Temple was standing, and when its services were regularly carried on. If Psalms 84:9 is a prayer for the king, it must be the first Temple that is in view. Psalms 42, 43 have points of resemblance to this one, and may possibly be by the same author.

Title.—Gittith] see on Psalms 8.

1. How amiable] RM ’how lovely,’ and how lovable.

4. They that dwell in thy house] the priests and other Temple officials.

5. The ways of them’] RV ’the high ways to Zion.’ The reference is to Israelites whose hearts are set on the journey to Jerusalem.

6. Baca] RM ’balsam trees,’ which grow in dry situations. This fact gives the v. its point. The pilgrim heart finds refreshment even on thirsty ground.

A well] RV ’a place of springs.’ The rain.. pools] RV ’the early rain covereth it with blessings.’

7. From strength to strength] The pilgrimage brings no weariness, but the opposite: see Isaiah 40:31, and cp. ’The Pilgrim’s Progress.’

9. Our shield] This phrase may either refer to God (see Psalms 84:11) or to the king, in parallelism with ’thine anointed’ in the following clause: see Psalms 89:18 RV. Look upon the face] regard with favour. Thine anointed] probably the king. Some suggest that the high priest or the nation as a whole may be meant.

10. Better than a thousand] spent elsewhere.

A doorkeeper] This was the special duty of the sons of Korah, who are mentioned in the title of the Ps. (1 Chronicles 9:19).