Bible Commentaries
Psalms 84

Introduction

PSALM 84

:-. (See on Psalms 8:1, title, and Psalms 84:4, title). The writer describes the desirableness of God's worship and prays for a restoration to its privileges.

Verse 1

1. amiable—not lovely, but beloved.

tabernacles— ( :-).

Verse 2

2. longeth—most intensely (Genesis 31:30; Psalms 17:12).

fainteth—exhausted with desire.

courts—as tabernacles (Psalms 84:1) —the whole building.

crieth out—literally, "sings for joy"; but here, and Psalms 84:1- :, expresses an act of sorrow as the corresponding noun (Psalms 17:1; Psalms 61:2).

heart and . . . flesh—as in Psalms 63:1.

Verse 3

3. thine altars—that is, of burnt offering and incense, used for the whole tabernacle. Its structure afforded facilities for sparrows and swallows to indulge their known predilections for such places. Some understand the statement as to the birds as a comparison: "as they find homes, so do I desire thine altars," &c.

Verse 4

4. This view is favored by the language here, which, as in Psalms 15:1; Psalms 23:6, recognizes the blessing of membership in God's family by terms denoting a dwelling in His house.

Verse 5

5. (Compare :-).

in whose heart . . . the ways—that is, who knows and loves the way to God's favor (Proverbs 16:17; Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 40:4).

Verse 6

6. valley of Baca—or, "weeping." Through such, by reason of their dry and barren condition, the worshippers often had to pass to Jerusalem. As they might become wells, or fountains, or pools, supplied by refreshing rain, so the grace of God, by the exercises of His worship, refreshes and revives the hearts of His people, so that for sorrows they have "rivers of delight" (Psalms 36:8; Psalms 46:4).

Verse 7

7. The figure of the pilgrim is carried out. As such daily refit their bodily strength till they reach Jerusalem, so the spiritual worshipper is daily supplied with spiritual strength by God's grace till he appears before God in heaven.

appeareth . . . God—the terms of the requisition for the attendance on the feasts (compare :-),

Verse 9

9. God is addressed as a shield (compare Psalms 84:11).

thine anointed—David (1 Samuel 16:12).

Verse 10

10. I had . . . doorkeeper—literally, "I choose to sit on the threshold," the meanest place.

Verse 11

11, 12. As a sun God enlightens (Psalms 27:1); as a shield He protects.

grace—God's favor, its fruit—

glory—the honor He bestows.

uprightly— (Psalms 15:2; Psalms 18:23).

Verse 12

12. that trusteth—constantly.