collapse all
Text -- Psalms 84:1-9 (NET)
Parallel
Cross Reference (TSK)
ITL
Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Psa 84:4 - -- That constantly abide in thy house; the priests and Levites, or other devout Jews who were there perpetually, as Anna, Luk 2:36-37.
That constantly abide in thy house; the priests and Levites, or other devout Jews who were there perpetually, as Anna, Luk 2:36-37.
They are continually employed in that blessed work.
Who trusteth in thee as his only strength.
Blessed are they whose hearts are set upon Zion and their journey is thither.
A dry valley in the way to Jerusalem, here put for all places of like nature.
They dig divers little pits or wells in it for their relief.
Wesley: Psa 84:6 - -- God recompenses their diligence with his blessing, sending rain wherewith they may be filled.
God recompenses their diligence with his blessing, sending rain wherewith they may be filled.
This is added as the blessed fruit of their long and tedious journey.
Of me, who though a vile sinner, am thine anointed king.
JFB: Psa 84:1 - -- (See on Psa 8:1, title, and Psa 42:1, title). The writer describes the desirableness of God's worship and prays for a restoration to its privileges. (...
(See on Psa 8:1, title, and Psa 42:1, title). The writer describes the desirableness of God's worship and prays for a restoration to its privileges. (Psa 84:1-12)
JFB: Psa 84:2 - -- Literally, "sings for joy"; but here, and Lam 2:19, expresses an act of sorrow as the corresponding noun (Psa 17:1; Psa 61:2).
JFB: Psa 84:3 - -- That is, of burnt offering and incense, used for the whole tabernacle. Its structure afforded facilities for sparrows and swallows to indulge their kn...
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.
JFB: Psa 84:4 - -- This view is favored by the language here, which, as in Psa 15:1; Psa 23:6, recognizes the blessing of membership in God's family by terms denoting a ...
JFB: Psa 84:6 - -- 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, "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" (Psa 36:8; Psa 46:4).
JFB: Psa 84:7 - -- 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 su...
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.
JFB: Psa 84:7 - -- The terms of the requisition for the attendance on the feasts (compare Deu 16:16),
The terms of the requisition for the attendance on the feasts (compare Deu 16:16),
Clarke: Psa 84:1 - -- How amiable are thy tabernacles - In this plural noun he appears to include all the places in or near the temple where acts of Divine worship were p...
How amiable are thy tabernacles - In this plural noun he appears to include all the places in or near the temple where acts of Divine worship were performed. The holy of holies, the holy place, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt-offering, etc., etc.; all called here God’ s tabernacles or dwelling-places; for wherever God was worshipped, there he was supposed to dwell.
Clarke: Psa 84:2 - -- My soul longeth - It is a Levite that speaks, who ardently longs to regain his place in the temple, and his part in the sacred services
My soul longeth - It is a Levite that speaks, who ardently longs to regain his place in the temple, and his part in the sacred services
Clarke: Psa 84:2 - -- My heart and my flesh - All the desires of my soul and body; every appetite and wish, both animal and spiritual, long for thy service.
My heart and my flesh - All the desires of my soul and body; every appetite and wish, both animal and spiritual, long for thy service.
Clarke: Psa 84:3 - -- Yea, the sparrow hath found a house - It is very unlikely that sparrows and swallows, or birds of any kind, should be permitted to build their nests...
Yea, the sparrow hath found a house - It is very unlikely that sparrows and swallows, or birds of any kind, should be permitted to build their nests, and hatch their young, in or about altars which were kept in a state of the greatest purity; and where perpetual fires were kept up for the purpose of sacrifice, burning incense, etc. Without altering the text, if the clause be read in a parenthesis, the absurdity will be avoided, and the sense be good. "My heart crieth out for the living God, (even the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow
Clarke: Psa 84:4 - -- Blessed are they that dwell in thy house - They who have such a constant habitation in thy temple as the sparrow or the swallow has in the house whe...
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house - They who have such a constant habitation in thy temple as the sparrow or the swallow has in the house wherein it has built its nest
Clarke: Psa 84:4 - -- They will be still praising thee - They will find it good to draw nigh unto God, as he always pours out his Spirit on his sincere worshippers.
They will be still praising thee - They will find it good to draw nigh unto God, as he always pours out his Spirit on his sincere worshippers.
Clarke: Psa 84:5 - -- The man whose strength is in thee -
"Who life and strength from thee derives
And by thee moves and in thee lives.
The man whose strength is in thee -
"Who life and strength from thee derives
And by thee moves and in thee lives.
Clarke: Psa 84:5 - -- In whose heart are the ways of them - This is no sense. The original, however, is obscure: מסלות בלבבם mesilloth bilebabam , "the high wa...
In whose heart are the ways of them - This is no sense. The original, however, is obscure:
Clarke: Psa 84:6 - -- Passing through the valley of Baca make it a well - Instead of בכא bacha , a mulberry-tree, seven MSS. have בכה becheh , mourning. I believe...
Passing through the valley of Baca make it a well - Instead of
Clarke: Psa 84:6 - -- The rain also filleth the pools - The Hebrew may be translated differently, and has been differently understood by all the Versions. גם ברכו...
The rain also filleth the pools - The Hebrew may be translated differently, and has been differently understood by all the Versions.
Clarke: Psa 84:7 - -- They go from strength to strength - They proceed from one degree of grace to another, gaining Divine virtue through all the steps of their probation
They go from strength to strength - They proceed from one degree of grace to another, gaining Divine virtue through all the steps of their probation
Clarke: Psa 84:7 - -- Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God - This is a paraphrase, and a bad one, but no translation. They shall proceed from strength to streng...
Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God - This is a paraphrase, and a bad one, but no translation. They shall proceed from strength to strength,
Some think there is a reference here to companies of people going up to Jerusalem from different parts of the land, bending together as they go on, so that the crowd is continually increasing. This meaning our translators have put in the margin.
Hear my prayer - Let us be restored to thy sanctuary, and to thy worship.
Clarke: Psa 84:9 - -- Behold, O God, our shield - We have no Protector but thee. Thou seest the deadly blows that are aimed at us; cover our souls; protect our lives
Behold, O God, our shield - We have no Protector but thee. Thou seest the deadly blows that are aimed at us; cover our souls; protect our lives
Clarke: Psa 84:9 - -- Look upon the face of thine anointed - Consider the supplications sent up by him whom thou hast appointed to be Mediator between thee and man - thy ...
Look upon the face of thine anointed - Consider the supplications sent up by him whom thou hast appointed to be Mediator between thee and man - thy Christ. But some apply this to David, to Zerubbabel, to the people of Israel; and each has his reasons.
Calvin: Psa 84:1 - -- 1.How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of Hosts! David complains of his being deprived of liberty of access to the Church of God, there to make...
1.How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of Hosts! David complains of his being deprived of liberty of access to the Church of God, there to make a profession of his faith, to improve in godliness, and to engage in the divine worship. Some would understand by the tabernacles of God, the kingdom of heaven, as if David mourned over his continuance in this state of earthly pilgrimage; but they do not sufficiently consider the nature of his present afflicted circumstances — that he was debarred from the sanctuary. He knew that God had not in vain appointed the holy assemblies, and that the godly have need of such helps so long as they are sojourners in this world. He was also deeply sensible of his own infirmity; nor was he ignorant how far short he came of approaching the perfection of angels. He had therefore good ground to lament over his being deprived of those means, the utility of which is well known to all true believers. His attention was, no doubt, directed to the proper end for which the external ritual was appointed; for his character was widely different from that of hypocrites, who, while they frequent the solemn assemblies with great pomp, and seem to burn with ardent zeal in serving God, yet in all this, aim at nothing more than by an ostentatious display of piety to obtain the credit of having performed their duty towards Him. David’s mind was far from being occupied with this gross imagination. The end he had in view in desiring so earnestly to enjoy free access to the sanctuary was, that he might there worship God with sincerity of heart, and in a spiritual manner. The opening words are in the form of an exclamation, which is an indication of ardent affection; and this state of feeling is expressed still more fully in the second verse. Hence we learn, that those are sadly deficient in understanding who carelessly neglect God’s instituted worship, as if they were able to mount up to heaven by their own unaided efforts.
Calvin: Psa 84:2 - -- I have observed, that in the second verse a more than ordinary ardor of desire is expressed. The first verb, כספ , casaph, signifies vehementl...
I have observed, that in the second verse a more than ordinary ardor of desire is expressed. The first verb,
Calvin: Psa 84:3 - -- 3.The sparrow also hath found a house for herself, and the swallow a nest for herself Some read this verse as one continuous sentence, conveying the ...
3.The sparrow also hath found a house for herself, and the swallow a nest for herself Some read this verse as one continuous sentence, conveying the idea that the birds made their nests near the altars; 459 from which it might the more evidently appear how hard and distressing his condition was in being kept at a distance from them. This opinion seems to be supported from the circumstance, that immediately before the Hebrew word for altars, there is the particle
Calvin: Psa 84:4 - -- 4.Blessed are they who dwell in thy house Here the Psalmist expresses more distinctly the proper and legitimate use of the sanctuary; and thus he dis...
4.Blessed are they who dwell in thy house Here the Psalmist expresses more distinctly the proper and legitimate use of the sanctuary; and thus he distinguishes himself from hypocrites, who are sedulously attentive to the observance of outward ceremonies, but destitute of genuine heart godliness. David, on the contrary, testifies, that the true worshippers of God offer to him the sacrifice of praise, which can never be dissociated from faith. Never will a man praise God from the heart, unless, relying upon his grace, he is a partaker of spiritual peace and joy.
Calvin: Psa 84:5 - -- 5.Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee David again informs us, that the purpose for which he desired liberty of access to the sanctuary was, ...
5.Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee David again informs us, that the purpose for which he desired liberty of access to the sanctuary was, not merely to gratify his eyes with what was to be seen there, but to make progress in faith. To lean with the whole heart upon God, is to attain to no ordinary degree of advancement: and this cannot be attained by any man, unless all his pride is laid prostrate in the dust, and his heart truly humbled. In proposing to himself this way of seeking God, David’s object is to borrow from him by prayer the strength of which he feels himself to be destitute. The concluding clause of the verse, the ways are in their hearts, 464 is by some interpreted as meaning, That those are happy who walk in the way which God has appointed; for nothing is more injurious to a man than to trust in his own understanding. It is not improperly said of the law, “This is the way, walk ye in it,” Isa 30:21. Whenever then men turn aside, however little it may be, from the divine law, they go astray, and become entangled in perverse errors. But it is more appropriate to restrict the clause to the scope of the passage, and to understand it as implying, that those are happy whose highest ambition it is to have God as the guide of their life, and who therefore desire to draw near to him. God, as we have formerly observed, is not satisfied with mere outward ceremonies. What he desires is, to rule and keep in subjection to himself all whom he invites to his tabernacle. Whoever then has learned how great a blessedness it is to rely upon God, will put forth all the desires and faculties of his mind, that with all speed he may hasten to Him.
Calvin: Psa 84:6 - -- 6.They passing through the valley of weeping, will together make it a well The meaning of the Psalmist is, that no impediments can prevent the enligh...
6.They passing through the valley of weeping, will together make it a well The meaning of the Psalmist is, that no impediments can prevent the enlightened and courageous worshippers of God from making conscience of waiting upon the sanctuary. By this manner of speaking, he confirms the statement which he had previously made, That nothing is more desirable than to be daily engaged in the worship of God; showing, as he does, that no difficulties can put a stop to the ardent longings of the godly, and prevent them from hastening with alacrity, yea, even though their way should be through dry and barren deserts, to meet together to solemnise the holy assemblies. As the Hebrew word
Calvin: Psa 84:7 - -- 7.They will go from strength to strength In this verse the same sentiment is repeated. Mount Zion being the place where, according to the appointment...
7.They will go from strength to strength In this verse the same sentiment is repeated. Mount Zion being the place where, according to the appointment of the law, the holy assemblies were observed, after the ark of the covenant was removed thither, it is said, that the people of God will come to Zion in great numbers, provoking one another to this good work. 467 The word
Calvin: Psa 84:8 - -- 8.O Jehovah, God of Hosts! hear my prayer David, instead of acting like worldly men, who foolishly and unprofitably distress and torment themselves b...
8.O Jehovah, God of Hosts! hear my prayer David, instead of acting like worldly men, who foolishly and unprofitably distress and torment themselves by inwardly cherishing their desires, very wisely directs his wishes and prayers to God. From this it is also evident, that he was not accustomed to indulge in ostentatious boasting, as is the case with many hypocrites, who present to outward appearance a wonderful ardor of zeal, while yet the omniscient eye of God sees nothing but coldness in their hearts. In the first place, he supplicates in general, that God would vouchsafe to hear him. He next anticipates a temptation which might very readily arise from his being at present apparently cut off from the Church, and wards it off, by associating and ranking himself with all true believers, under the protection of God. Had he not been a member of the Church, he could not have said generally, and as it were in the person of all its members, Our shield. Having made this statement, he uses language still more expressive of high privilege, adducing the royal anointing with which God had honored him by the hand of Samuel, 1Sa 16:12. These words, Look upon the face of thy anointed, are very emphatic, and yet many interpreters pass over them very frigidly. He encourages himself in the hope of obtaining the favor of God, from the consideration that he had been anointed king in compliance with a divine command. Knowing, however, that his kingdom was merely a shadow and type of something more illustrious, there is no doubt, that in uttering these words, the object which he aspired after was, to obtain the divine favor through the intervention of the Mediator of whom he was a type. I am personally unworthy, as if he had said, that thou shouldest restore me, but the anointing by which thou hast made me a type of the only Redeemer will secure this blessing for me. We are thus taught, that the only way in which God becomes reconciled to us is through the mediation of Christ, whose presence scatters and dissipates all the dark clouds of our sins.
Defender -> Psa 84:6
Defender: Psa 84:6 - -- "Baca" means "weeping." It also was the name for balsam trees growing in arid valleys."
"Baca" means "weeping." It also was the name for balsam trees growing in arid valleys."
TSK: Psa 84:1 - -- A Psalm : Some suppose this Psalm was composed by David when driven from Jerusalem by Absalom’ s rebellion, but it is more probable that it was w...
A Psalm : Some suppose this Psalm was composed by David when driven from Jerusalem by Absalom’ s rebellion, but it is more probable that it was written at the foundation of the second temple.
for : or, of
How : Psa 36:8, Psa 27:4, Psa 48:1, Psa 48:2, Psa 87:2, Psa 87:3, Psa 122:1; Heb 9:23, Heb 9:24; Rev 21:2, Rev 21:3, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23
O Lord : Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21; 1Ki 22:19; Neh 9:6; Isa 6:2, Isa 6:3
TSK: Psa 84:2 - -- soul : Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1, Psa 63:2, Psa 73:26, Psa 119:20, Psa 119:81, Psa 143:6; Son 2:4, Son 2:5, Son 5:8
heart : Job 23:3; Isa 26:9, Isa...
TSK: Psa 84:3 - -- Yea : etc. Or, rather, ""Even as the sparrow findeth a house, and the swallow (deror , or the ring-dove, according to some, but probably the bird wh...
Yea : etc. Or, rather, ""Even as the sparrow findeth a house, and the swallow (
sparrow : Psa 90:1, Psa 91:1, Psa 116:7; Mat 8:20, Mat 23:37
TSK: Psa 84:4 - -- Blessed : Psa 23:6, Psa 27:4, Psa 65:4, Psa 134:1-3
they will : Psa 71:8, Psa 71:15, Psa 145:1, Psa 145:2, Psa 145:21; Isa 12:4, Isa 12:5; Rev 7:15
TSK: Psa 84:5 - -- strength : Psa 28:7, Psa 28:8; Isa 45:24; Zec 10:12; 2Co 12:9; Phi 4:13
in whose : Psa 40:8, Psa 42:4, Psa 55:14; Isa 26:9; Jer 31:33, Jer 50:4, Jer 5...
TSK: Psa 84:6 - -- Who : Psa 66:10-12; Joh 16:33; Act 14:22; Rom 5:3-5, Rom 8:37; 2Co 4:17; Rev 7:14
Baca : etc. or, mulberry-trees, make him a well, etc. Baca is pro...
Who : Psa 66:10-12; Joh 16:33; Act 14:22; Rom 5:3-5, Rom 8:37; 2Co 4:17; Rev 7:14
Baca : etc. or, mulberry-trees, make him a well, etc.
the rain : Psa 68:9; 2Ki 3:9-20
filleth : Heb. covereth
TSK: Psa 84:7 - -- They : Job 17:9; Pro 4:18; Isa 40:31; Joh 15:2; 2Co 3:18; 2Pe 3:18
strength to strength : Heb. company to company, Luk 2:24
in Zion : Psa 43:3; Deu 16...
collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Psa 84:1 - -- How amiable - How much to he loved; how lovely. The word amiable is now used to denote a quality of mind or disposition - as gentle, affectiona...
How amiable - How much to he loved; how lovely. The word amiable is now used to denote a quality of mind or disposition - as gentle, affectionate, kind. The word used here, however in the original, means rather dear, beloved - as a token of endearment. Compare the notes at the title to Ps. 45. The idea here is, that the place of public worship is dear to the heart, as a beloved freind - a child - a wife - is. There is a strong and tender love for it.
Are thy tabernacles - Thy dwelling-places. This word might be applied either to the tabernacle or the temple, or to any place where God was supposed to reside, or where his worship was celebrated. The plural form is used here probably because the tabernacle and the temple were divided into two parts or rooms, and each might be regarded as in a proper sense the dwelling-place of God. See the notes at Mat 21:12, following.
O Lord of hosts! - Yahweh of hosts; Yahweh, controlling - ruling - guiding - marshalling - all the armies of heaven and earth: compare the notes at Isa 1:9; notes at Psa 24:10.
Barnes: Psa 84:2 - -- My soul longeth - The word used here means properly to be pale; then, to be faint or weak; and then, to pine after, to long for, to desire earn...
My soul longeth - The word used here means properly to be pale; then, to be faint or weak; and then, to pine after, to long for, to desire earnestly. It would properly denote such a longing or desire as to make one faint or exhausted; that is, it indicates intense desire. In Psa 17:12, it is applied to a hungry lion; "Like a lion that is greedy of its prey."In Gen 31:30, it conveys the idea of intense desire: "Because thou sore longedst after thy father’ s house."For an illustration of the sentiment here expressed, see the notes at Psa 42:1-2.
Yea, even fainteth - Is exhausted; fails of its strength. The word means properly to be completed, finished; then to be consumed, to be spent, to waste or pine away. Gen 21:15; Jer 16:4; Lam 2:11; Job 19:27.
For the courts of the Lord - The word used here refers to the different areas around the tabernacle or temple, within which many of the services of public worship were conducted, and which were frequented by different classes of persons. See the notes at Mat 21:12.
My heart and my flesh - My whole nature; my body and my soul; all my desires and aspirations - all the longings of my heart are there. The body - the flesh - cries out for rest; the heart - the soul - for communion with God. Our whole nature demands the benefits which spring from the worship of God. Body and soul were made for his service, and the necessities of neither can be satisfied without religion.
Crieth out - The word used here -
For the living God - God, the true God, considered as living, in contradistinction from idols, always spoken of as dead. Compare Psa 63:1.
Barnes: Psa 84:3 - -- Yea, the sparrow hath found an house - A home; a place where she may abide, and build her nest, and rear her young. The word here used - צפ...
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house - A home; a place where she may abide, and build her nest, and rear her young. The word here used -
And the swallow a nest for herself - A place where it may make its nest. The word used here -
Where she may lay her young - Where she may place her young. The wordplay here is not used in the sense in which we now apply it when we speak of "laying"eggs. It means to place them; to make a home for them; to dispose and arrange them.
Even thine altars ... - The altars where thou art worshipped. The idea here is, that the sparrows and the swallows seemed to have a happy lot; to be in a condition to be envied. Even they might come freely to the place where God was worshipped - to the very altars - and make their home there undisturbed. How strongly in contrast with this was the condition of the wandering - the exiled - author of the psalm!
Barnes: Psa 84:4 - -- Blessed are they that dwell in thy house - Who are constantly there; whose permanent abode is there. The reference is to the priests and Levite...
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house - Who are constantly there; whose permanent abode is there. The reference is to the priests and Levites - the ministers of religion - who had their permanent abode near the tabernacle and the temple, and who were wholly devoted to the sacred duties of religion. Their lot is here spoken of as a blessed, or as a happy lot, in contradistinction from those who had only the opportunity of occasionally going up to worship. Compare the notes at Psa 65:4.
They will be still praising thee - They will do it constantly, as their daily employment. It will not be worship begun and ended, but worship continued - the regular business from day to day. Such will heaven be; and this will constitute its glory. There will be
(a) a permanent residence there: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out,"Rev 3:12; and
(b) there will be the constant service of God; such a service that it may be described as perpetual praise.
The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, "They will praise thee for ages of ages;"that is, forever.
Barnes: Psa 84:5 - -- Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee - Not merely are they blessed who dwell there permanently, but the man also whose heart is there; ...
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee - Not merely are they blessed who dwell there permanently, but the man also whose heart is there; who feels that his strength is in God alone who loves to go there when opportunity is afforded him, treading his way to Zion. The idea is, that all strength must come from God; that this Strength is to be obtained by waiting on him (compare the notes at Isa 40:31), and that, therefore, it is a privilege thus to wait on God. Compare Psa 84:7.
In whose heart are the ways of them - literally, "The ways in their heart."DeWette renders this, "Who thinketh on the ways, or paths, to Jerusalem."The word "ways"may refer either to the ways or paths that lead to the place of worship, or the ways to God and to heaven. As the allusion, however, is evidently to those who were accustomed to go up to the place of public worship, the meaning is, that the man is blessed or happy whose heart is on those ways; who thinks on them; who makes preparation for going up; who purposes thus to go up to worship. The sense is enfeebled in our translation by the insertion of the words "of them."The literal translation is better: "The ways, that is, the paths, the going up, the journey, to the place of public worship, are in their heart."Their affections; their thoughts are there. The word rendered ways, means commonly a raised way, a highway, but it may refer to any public path. It would be applicable to what we call a turnpike (road), as a way thrown up for public use. The allusion is to the ways or paths by which the people commonly went up to the place of public worship; and the idea may be well expressed in the language of Watts:
"I love her gates, I love the road."
The sentiment thus expressed finds a response in thousands of hearts: in the happiness - the peace - the joy - with which true worshippers go to the house of God. In the mind of the writer of the psalm this would have an additional beauty and attractiveness as being associated with the thought of the multitudes thronging that path - the groups - the companies - the families - that crowded the way to the place of public worship on their great festal occasions.
Barnes: Psa 84:6 - -- 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 variousl...
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"(
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 Isa 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"Act 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 -
(1) an archer;
(2) the early rain
(3) teaching, Isa 9:15; 2Ki 17:28; or a teacher, Isa 30:20; Job 36:22.
It is rendered rain, in the place before us; and former rain twice in Joe 2:23 (margin, a teacher). The word rendered "filleth"means properly to cover, and would be fitly so translated here. Compare Lev 13:45; Eze 24:17, Eze 24:22. The word has not naturally the idea of filling. The word rendered "pools"-
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.
Barnes: Psa 84:7 - -- They go from strength to strength ... - Margin,"company to company."The Septuagint and Vulgate, "They go from strength to strength; the God of ...
They go from strength to strength ... - Margin,"company to company."The Septuagint and Vulgate, "They go from strength to strength; the God of gods is seen in Zion."Luther, "They obtain one victory after another, that one must see that there is a righteous God in Zion."DeWette, "Going they increase in strength, until they appear before God in Zion."This last is doubtless the true idea. As they pass along, as they come nearer and nearer to the end of their journey, their strength, their ardor, their firmness of purpose increases. By their conversation; by their songs; by encouraging one another; by seeing one difficulty overcome after another; by the fact kept before their minds, and increasingly apparent, that they are constantly approaching the end of their journey - that the distance to be traveled is constantly diminishing - that the difficulties become less and less, and that they will soon see the towers and walls of the desired city - they are invigorated, cheered, comforted. What a beautiful illustration of the life of Christian pilgrims - of the bands of the redeemed - as they journey on toward the end of their course - the Mount Zion above! By prayer and praise and mutual counsel, by their songs, by the fact that difficulties are surmounted, leaving fewer to be overcome, and that the journey to be traveled is diminishing constantly - by the feeling that they are ever drawing nearer to the Zion of their home, until the light is seen to glitter and play on its towers and walls - they increase in strength, they become more confirmed in their purposes, they bear trials better, they overcome difficulties more easily, they walk more firmly, they tread their way more cheerfully and triumphantly.
Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God - literally, "He shall appear to God in Zion."The meaning evidently is, that they who are referred to in the previous verses as going up to Zion will be seen there, or will come before God, in the place of worship. There is a change of number here, from the plural to the singular - as, in Psa 84:5, there is a change from the singular to the plural. Such changes are frequent in the Scriptures as in other writings, and the one here can be accounted for on the supposition that the author of the psalm, in looking upon the moving procession, at one moment may be supposed to have looked upon them as a procession - a moving mass - and then that he looked upon them as individuals, and spake of them as such. The idea here is, that they would not falter and fall by the way; that the cheerful, joyous procession would come to the desired place; that their wishes would be gratified, and that their joy would be full when they came to the end of their journey - to Zion. So it is of all Christian pilgrims. Every true believer - everyone that truly loves God - will appear before him in the upper Zion - in heaven. There their joy will be complete; there the long-cherished desires of their hearts will be fully gratified; there all that they ever hoped for, and more, will be realized.
Barnes: Psa 84:8 - -- O Lord God of hosts - See the notes at Psa 84:1. God is appealed to here as a God of power; as a God who is able to accomplish all his purposes...
O Lord God of hosts - See the notes at Psa 84:1. God is appealed to here as a God of power; as a God who is able to accomplish all his purposes, and to impart every needed blessing.
Hear my prayer - A prayer of the psalmist that he might also have a place among the servants of God in their worship, Psa 84:2. To this earnestness of prayer he is excited by the view which he had of the blessedness of those who went with songs up to Zion. His soul longs to be among them; from the sight of them his prayer is the more fervent that he may partake of their blessedness and joy.
Give ear, O God of Jacob - With whom Jacob wrestled in prayer, and prevailed. Gen 32:24-30. On the phrase, "give ear,"see the notes at Psa 5:1.
Barnes: Psa 84:9 - -- Behold, O God our shield - Our defense, as a shield is a defense in the day of battle. Compare Psa 5:12, note; Psa 18:2, note; Psa 33:20, note....
Behold, O God our shield - Our defense, as a shield is a defense in the day of battle. Compare Psa 5:12, note; Psa 18:2, note; Psa 33:20, note. It is an appeal to God as a protector. The psalmist was an exile - a wanderer - and he looked to God as his defense.
And look upon the face of thine anointed - Look favorably upon; look with benignity and kindness. The word anointed here is the word "Messiah"-
Poole: Psa 84:2 - -- Fainteth or, is consumed , with grief for want of them, and with vehement desire to enjoy them, and with the deferring and disappointment of his hop...
Fainteth or, is consumed , with grief for want of them, and with vehement desire to enjoy them, and with the deferring and disappointment of his hopes. See Pro 13:12 .
For the courts to enter into the outward court with the people, and to see what is done by the priests in the inner court, and to join with them in their religious exercises.
My heart and my flesh crieth out with a doleful cry, of which this word is used also Lam 2:19 , which elsewhere and commonly signifies a joyful shout. The sense is, my soul and body are pained; or the passion of my heart maketh my tongue cry out.
Poole: Psa 84:3 - -- The sparrow hath found an house i.e. a habitation, to wit, a nest, as it here followeth.
Even thine altar or, nigh (as this Hebrew particle eth ...
The sparrow hath found an house i.e. a habitation, to wit, a nest, as it here followeth.
Even thine altar or, nigh (as this Hebrew particle eth is elsewhere used, and as it is rendered by the Septuagint and the Chaldee, Jud 4:11 ) thine altar , Heb. altars , that of burnt-offerings, and the other of incense; at or near which these birds might well and truly be said to have their nests, because they were either in some part of the tabernacle or temple in which the altars were, or in some buildings belonging, or near at least, to it.
Poole: Psa 84:4 - -- They that constantly or frequently resort to and abide in thy house; either the priests and Levites, who kept continual watch there; or other devout...
They that constantly or frequently resort to and abide in thy house; either the priests and Levites, who kept continual watch there; or other devout Jews who were there perpetually, as Anna, Luk 2:37 . For they are continually employed in that blessed and glorious work of praising and serving thee in the place which thou hast appointed for that end.
Poole: Psa 84:5 - -- Whose strength is in thee who trusteth in thee as his only strength, and refuge, and portion. Or, who hath strength in (or rather for , as the Heb...
Whose strength is in thee who trusteth in thee as his only strength, and refuge, and portion. Or, who hath strength in (or rather for , as the Hebrew prefix beth is frequently used, as hath been noted again and again) thee , i.e. who hath (or who useth; for having is sometimes put for using ; of which see Mat 13:12 1Co 7:2 ) ability of body and mind for thee, and for thy service; or for that journey which here he seems to insinuate, and in the following words and verses he particularly describes. For it must be considered that all the males of Israel were obliged to come to the tabernacle or temple thrice in a year, Exo 34:23,24 , and that some of them lived at a great distance, and consequently were to take a long and troublesome journey, which also might at some times and places be accompanied with hazards and other inconveniences; and therefore such as wanted either courage or bodily strength might be discouraged or hindered from undertaking it, and from the enjoyment of God in his solemn and public worship; which though in some cases it might not be their sin, yet surely it was a great affliction and infelicity; and consequently it was a blessed thing to be freed from those impediments, as the psalmist here observes.
In whose heart are the ways of them i.e. of these men; for though man be thee singular number, it is understood collectively of all that sort or company of men. But these words, of them , are not in the Hebrew, and, as some learned men have observed, seem to disturb or darken the sense. Others therefore seem to render the words better and more agreeably to the Hebrew text,
in whose heart are thy (which pronoun is oft understood)
ways to wit, those ways which lead to thy house; or, the ways , so called emphatically, or by way of eminency, the ways of (or, to ) Zion , as they are called Lam 1:4 , as is evident from Psa 84:7 . So the meaning is, Blessed are they whose thoughts and affections are much and strongly fixed upon the highways, and their journeys to Zion, who have both strength of body, as is said in the former branch, and readiness of heart, as is here added, to go to Zion; which are the two qualifications requisite for their journey. Blessed are they whose hearts are set upon Zion and their journeys thither; that are continually, or from time to time, stirring up and bespeaking themselves and others, as they did, Jer 31:6 , Arise ye, let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God . As when a man’ s heart is knit in true friendship to one that lives at some distance from him, he is oft thinking with great desire and delight of the place where he dwelleth, and of the way leading to it.
Poole: Psa 84:6 - -- Passing or, being used to pass ; for he seems not to speak of one particular act, but of a common course or custom.
Baca a place, so called, which...
Passing or, being used to pass ; for he seems not to speak of one particular act, but of a common course or custom.
Baca a place, so called, which some Jewish and other writers affirm to have been a very dry place, and therefore incommodious for travellers in those hot countries, and in hot seasons; which place may be here mentioned not exclusively to other ways and passages, for this highway being but one, and on one side of Jerusalem, could not be a general way for all the Israelites thither, but synecdochically for all places of like nature, which made their journey to Jerusalem unpleasant or inconvenient. But their zeal for God’ s service did easily overcome this and other difficulties. Or, the valley of tears , as this valley might be called, for the trouble or vexation which travellers found there by reason of drought, or otherwise. A well, or wells , i.e. they dig divers little pits or wells in it for their relief. This trouble they willingly undertook rather than to neglect the opportunity of going up to Jerusalem at their solemn times. And possibly they did this, not only for themselves, but for the benefit of other travellers who came after them; whereby they showed both their piety and charity.
The rain also filleth the pools God recompenseth their diligence in making pits, or little pools, or cisterns with his blessing, sending rain wherewith they may be filled, and the thirsty travellers refreshed. Possibly the words may be thus rendered, which is more agreeable to the order of the Hebrew text, yea , or also , (and so the Hebrew particle gam hath that emphasis which, as some learned interpreters observe, is not given to it in other translations; they do not only make little pits or wells, as it was now said, but also,) pools or cisterns (for this Hebrew word is by the learned rendered both ways) which (so the relative particle is to be understood, as it is very frequently in many texts of Scripture) the rain filleth , or may fill , i.e. which may receive and keep the rain which God sendeth for the refreshment of these travellers, whose great numbers made the provision of water more necessary. But it is not necessary to understand this and the foregoing clause of what these passengers did for their own use, as they travelled through this or such, like places; but it may be meant of what pious persons did before that time, who, having their hearts set upon God’ s house, and the pathways leading to it, as was said, Psa 84:5 , and being desirous to advance the worship of God, and to encourage the people to come to Jerusalem, endeavoured to make those ways (some parts whereof were very incommodious) easy and convenient; and particularly, because those Eastern countries were hot and dry, and springs of water were scarce there, as we may learn from Gen 26:15 Jud 1:15 , and many other passages of sacred Scripture and other authors, which was a great annoyance to travellers, they made these pits and pools or cisterns in such places where they were most necessary, and through which great numbers of people passed in their journey to the house of God.
Poole: Psa 84:7 - -- They go from strength to strength the farther they travel onward in that way, instead of being faint and weary, as travellers in such cases use to be...
They go from strength to strength the farther they travel onward in that way, instead of being faint and weary, as travellers in such cases use to be, they grow stronger and stronger, being greatly refreshed with the comfortable end of their journey, expressed in the following words. Or, They go from company to company . For they used to travel in troops or companies for many reasons, and some companies were before others, accordingly as they were nearer to the place of worship, or more diligent or expeditious in their travel. And such as were most zealous would use their utmost endeavours to outstrip others, and to overtake one company of travellers after another, that so they might come with the first unto God in Zion.
Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God: this is here added as the blessed design and fruit of their long and tedious journey, as that which put life into them, and made them bear all inconveniences with great cheerfulness, they are all graciously admitted into the presence of God in Zion. But the words are and may be otherwise rendered, until every one of them appear before the God of gods in Zion ; or, the God of gods shall be seen (or useth to appear , or manifest himself ; for the future tense oft notes the continuance of the action) in Zion ; which is mentioned in the close as the reason of that affection and industry which is described in the foregoing passages.
Poole: Psa 84:8 - -- O Lord God of hosts who canst easily remove and subdue those enemies of mine who banish and keep me from the place of thy worship,
hear my prayer i...
O Lord God of hosts who canst easily remove and subdue those enemies of mine who banish and keep me from the place of thy worship,
hear my prayer in restoring me to thy house and service; which is my chief desire, Psa 84:2,3 .
Poole: Psa 84:9 - -- Look upon the face do not turn away thine eyes from him, as men do from those whom they hate or despise, but cast a favourable eye towards him. By f...
Look upon the face do not turn away thine eyes from him, as men do from those whom they hate or despise, but cast a favourable eye towards him. By face he means either his person, the word face being oft redundant, as it is Gen 43:3 , or his state and condition.
Of thine anointed: either,
1. Of Christ, whose proper name is the Messiah , or the Anointed . So the meaning may be, Lord, I deserve not one good look from thee, because by my great wickedness I have procured thy just displeasure, and this banishment; but look upon thy Christ, whose coming and meritorious passion, though future to us, is present to thee, and for his sake look upon me. Or,
2. Of me, who, though a vile sinner, am thine anointed king, 2Sa 12:7 23:1 .
Haydock: Psa 84:1 - -- The coming of Christ, to bring peace and salvation to man.
Fruit. By imitation, (Calmet) "we may give birth to Jesus Christ," says St. Jerome. God...
The coming of Christ, to bring peace and salvation to man.
Fruit. By imitation, (Calmet) "we may give birth to Jesus Christ," says St. Jerome. God bestows grace, and so men yield fruit. (Worthington)
Haydock: Psa 84:1 - -- Psalm. It resembles the 66th [psalm], and seems to have been sung when the first-fruits were brought to the temple. Most people explain it of the c...
Psalm. It resembles the 66th [psalm], and seems to have been sung when the first-fruits were brought to the temple. Most people explain it of the captives delivered, (Theodoret; Du Pin) and of Christ's redemption. (Eusebius; St. Augustine) (Calmet) ---
David foresaw the afflictions and captivity of his people; and was aware of the miseries of mankind, to be removed by the Messias alone. (Berthier)
Haydock: Psa 84:2 - -- Blessed. Hebrew, "taken into favour," or "hast rendered fruitful." (Judea) (Calmet) ---
God had bestowed many benefits upon his people, rescuing ...
Blessed. Hebrew, "taken into favour," or "hast rendered fruitful." (Judea) (Calmet) ---
God had bestowed many benefits upon his people, rescuing them from the Egyptian bondage, and not punishing them as much as they deserved. (Worthington) ---
Others explain it of the captivity at Babylon, or under the devil. (Menochius) ---
David speaks of the former event by the prophetic spirit, and the latter misfortune was always deplorable, and to be terminated only by the Messias. (Berthier) ---
The redemption of man was prefigured by the liberation of the Jews. (Du Hamel)
Haydock: Psa 84:5 - -- Convert. Bring back the remnant of thy people, dispersed through the world. Only a few returned under Cyrus; the rest came back by degrees principa...
Convert. Bring back the remnant of thy people, dispersed through the world. Only a few returned under Cyrus; the rest came back by degrees principally during the reigns of Hystaspes and Alexander the Great. (Calmet, Diss.) ---
While we continue unconverted, we are objects of God's wrath. (Berthier) (Lamentations v. 21.) ---
Our Saviour. Septuagint, "of our salvations." St. Jerome, "our Jesus." (Haydock) ---
Saviour of mankind, mitigate thy wrath against us. (Worthington)
Haydock: Psa 84:6 - -- Ever. The Pythagoreans settled their differences before sunset. (Plut.) ---
"Cherish not, mortals, an immortal wrath." (Arist. Rhet. ii. 21.) (H...
Ever. The Pythagoreans settled their differences before sunset. (Plut.) ---
"Cherish not, mortals, an immortal wrath." (Arist. Rhet. ii. 21.) (Haydock) ---
As long, O God, as we see not our brethren restored, we shall think that thou art not perfectly reconciled us. (Calmet)
Haydock: Psa 84:7 - -- Turn, conversus. The ancient psalters read convertens. "Converting, O God, thou wilt bring us to life," free us from captivity, and redeem us fro...
Turn, conversus. The ancient psalters read convertens. "Converting, O God, thou wilt bring us to life," free us from captivity, and redeem us from sin by Jesus Christ, the conqueror of death. (Calmet) ---
Before their conversion sinners lie dead in guilt. (Worthington) ---
O God, thou wilt again restore us to life. (Du Hamel)
Haydock: Psa 84:8 - -- Salvation. By Cyrus, or rather by the Messias, whose time drew near. (Calmet)
Salvation. By Cyrus, or rather by the Messias, whose time drew near. (Calmet)
Haydock: Psa 84:9 - -- Hear. Hitherto the prophet had been distracted by the thought of his people's misery. (St. Augustine) ---
In me, is not expressed in Hebrew. ---
...
Hear. Hitherto the prophet had been distracted by the thought of his people's misery. (St. Augustine) ---
In me, is not expressed in Hebrew. ---
Heart. Some of the ancients add, "to him." (Calmet) ---
The Septuagint seem to have had a copy different from the present Hebrew, "But let them not turn again to folly;" (Protestants; Haydock) though the sense is much the same. They may have read lobom lie, "their heart to God," (Berthier) or lobsle, (Calmet) "the heart, Sela;" instead of lecisla, "to folly." (Haydock) ---
Those Israelites who had given away to idolatry, were little inclined to return to their own country, at the invitation of Cyrus. Though Christ came to save all, only men of good will obtained his peace, Luke ii. 4., and John i. 5. (Calmet) ---
There is no peace for the wicked, Isaias xlviii. 22., and Philippians iv. 9. (Berthier) ---
The redemption of the world was here revealed. (Worthington) (Menochius)
Gill: Psa 84:1 - -- How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! Which were erected in the wilderness by Moses at the command of God, and brought into the land of Ca...
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! Which were erected in the wilderness by Moses at the command of God, and brought into the land of Canaan, where the Lord took up his dwelling: here he was worshipped, and sacrifices offered to him; here he granted his presence, and commanded his blessing; here it was in David's time; for as yet the temple was not built: it is called "tabernacles", in the plural number, because of its several parts: hence we read of a first and second tabernacle, Heb 9:2, there was the holy place, and the holy of holies, besides the court of the people; unless it can be thought to refer to the tabernacle David had built for the ark in Zion, and to the old tabernacle which was at Gibeon, 2Sa 6:17 the whole was a representation of the church of God, and the ordinances of it; which is the dwelling place of God, Father, Son, and Spirit, where he is worshipped, his presence enjoyed, his word is preached, ordinances administered, and the sacrifices of prayer and praise offered up; on account of all which it is very "amiable": what made the tabernacle of Moses lovely was not the outside, which was very mean, as the church of God outwardly is, through persecution, affliction, and poverty; but what was within, having many golden vessels in it, and those typical of things much more precious: moreover, here the priests were to be seen in their robes, doing their duty and service, and, at certain times, the high priest in his rich apparel; here were seen the sacrifices slain and offered, by which the people were taught the nature of sin, the strictness of justice, and the necessity and efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ; here the Levites were heard singing their songs, and blowing their trumpets: but much more amiable are the church of God and its ordinances in Gospel times, where Christ, the great High Priest, is seen in the glories of his person, and the fulness of his grace; where Zion's priests, or the ministers of the Gospel, stand clothed, being full fraught with salvation, and the tidings of it; where Christ is openly set forth, as crucified and slain, in the ministry of the word, and the administration of ordinances; here the Gospel trumpet is blown, and its joyful sound echoed forth, and songs of love and grace are sung by all believers: besides, what makes these tabernacles still more lovely are, the presence of God here, so that they are no other than the house of God, and gate of heaven; the provisions that are here made, and the company that are here enjoyed; to which may be added, the properties of those dwellings; they are lightsome, like the habitations of Israel in Goshen; they are healthful, no plague comes nigh them; the inhabitants of them are not sick; their sins are forgiven them; they are safe, sure, and quiet dwelling places; see Isa 32:18 and they are lovely to such, and to such only, who have seen the unamiableness of sin, and are sick of its tents, and of enjoying its fading pleasures, and to whom Christ is precious, and altogether lovely: these have an intense affection for him, and for his house, word, worship, and ordinances, and with admiration say, "how amiable", &c.
Gill: Psa 84:2 - -- My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord,.... The courts of the tabernacle now at Gibeon, though the ark was in Zion, 2Ch 1:3 as...
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord,.... The courts of the tabernacle now at Gibeon, though the ark was in Zion, 2Ch 1:3 as the court of the priests, and the court of the Israelites, in which latter the people in common stood: after these David longed; he longed to enter into them, and stand in them, and worship God there; which soul longings and hearty desires were the fruits and evidences of true grace, of being born again; so newly born souls desire the sincere milk of the word, and the breasts of Gospel ordinances, as a newly born babe desires its mother's milk and breast; and he even "fainted", through disappointment, or length of time, being impatient of the returning season and opportunity of treading in them; see Psa 42:1,
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God; he only inwardly desired, and secretly fainted, but audibly cried out in his distress, and verbally expressed, great vehemence, his desire to enjoy the living God: it was not merely the courts, but God in them, that he wanted; even that God which has life in himself, with whom is the fountain of life; who gives life to others, natural, spiritual, and eternal, and in whose favour is life; yea, whose lovingkindness is better than life, and which was the thing longed and thirsted after: and these desires were the desires of the whole man, soul and body; not only he cried with his mouth and lips, signified by his flesh, but with his heart also, sincerely and heartily; his heart went along with his mouth.
Gill: Psa 84:3 - -- Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,.... One or other of the houses of men, where to build its nest; or its nest itself is called an house, as it see...
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,.... One or other of the houses of men, where to build its nest; or its nest itself is called an house, as it seems to be explained in the next clause: the word here used signifies any bird; we translate it a "sparrow", and so Kimchi; the Targum renders it the "dove"; but the Midrash is,
"it is not said as a dove, but as a sparrow: the dove takes its young, and returns to its place; not so the sparrow:''
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young; the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, have it the "turtle", the stock, or ring dove: and so the Targum, which paraphrases this clause, in connection with the following, thus:
"and the turtle a nest for herself, whose young are fit to be offered up upon thine altars:''
it is translated a swallow in Pro 26:2 and has its name in Hebrew from liberty, it not loving confinement, or because it freely visits the houses of men without fear:
even thine altars, O Lord of hosts; that is, as some understand it, there the swallow builds a nest, and lays her young; but it can hardly be thought that this could be done in them, since the priests were so often officiating at them, and there were so much noise, fire, and smoke there; it must be "at the sides of them", as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it, or near unto them; or rather in the rafters of the house where they were; and the rafters and beams of the temple were of cedar, and in such turtles have their nests s; or in the houses adjoining to the tabernacle; or in the trees that might be near it; see Jos 24:26, and so the psalmist seems to envy and begrudge the place these birds had, and wishes he had the same nearness as they. Kimchi observes, that if this is to be understood of David, when in the land of the Philistines, at that time high places and altars were lawful everywhere, and there birds might build their nests; but if of the captivity, the birds found a place and built their nests in the ruins of the temple and altars; and so Jarchi; for as for the temple, it was not built in the times of David; besides, when built, had a scarecrow on it t: though the words may be considered as in connection with Psa 84:3 and what goes before be read in a parenthesis, as they are by R. Judah Ben Balsam, cited by R. Aben Ezra;
"my soul longeth for the courts of the Lord, crieth out for the living God: even thine altars, O Lord of hosts'';
that is, for them; or may be supplied thus,
"I desire thine altars, O Lord of hosts'' u:
as the birds above mentioned seek for a nest, and desire to find one, and have what they want, and nature prompts them to; so I desire a place in thine house and courts, and near thine altars; see Mat 8:20, or thus; as these birds rejoice, when they have found an house or nest for themselves and young; so should I rejoice, might I be favoured once more with attendance on thine altars, O Lord of hosts: mention is made of "altars", referring both to the altar of burnt sacrifice, and the altar of incense, both typical of Christ, Heb 13:10 and of his sacrifice and intercession; both which believers have to do with: it is added,
my King, and my God; when, by attending at his tabernacle, courts, and altars, he would testify his subjection to him as his King, and his faith in him, and thankfulness to him, as his God; see Joh 20:28.
Gill: Psa 84:4 - -- Blessed are they that dwell in thy house,.... The house of God, in his tabernacles and courts; referring to the priests and Levites, who were frequent...
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house,.... The house of God, in his tabernacles and courts; referring to the priests and Levites, who were frequently officiating there, in their turns, night and day; and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Gibeon, where the ark and tabernacle were, who had frequent opportunities of attendance on divine worship: and happy are those who have a name and place in the church of God, who abide there, and never go out; see Psa 65:4, the Targum is,
"blessed are the righteous, &c.''
and the Arabic version, "blessed are all they that dwell, &c", they are happy on account of their settlement, and also on account of their work, as follows:
they will be still praising thee; which is delightful employment; for praise is pleasant and comely; and in which they are continually and constantly engaged, as their mercies return upon them, as they do every day; and especially on Lord's days, or at the stated times of public worship; such will bless and praise the Lord, both for temporal and spiritual blessings, as long as they live; see Heb 13:15.
Selah. See Gill on Psa 3:2.
Gill: Psa 84:5 - -- Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, Or, "for thee", as some choose to render the words; who have bodily strength from the Lord, for his wor...
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, Or, "for thee", as some choose to render the words; who have bodily strength from the Lord, for his worship and service, to go up to his house, and serve him: this, with what follows in the two next verses, seem to refer to the males in Israel going up from different parts of the land to Jerusalem to worship, who had strength so to do; when the women and children, for want thereof, stayed at home, which was their infelicity, as it was the happiness of the males that they had ability for such a journey and service: the Targum is,
"whose strength is in thy Word;''
the essential Word, the Messiah, who have spiritual strength in and from him; see Isa 45:24, without this there is no heart to go up to the house of God; and this will carry through a great deal of bodily weakness; and by it saints overcome the temptations of Satan to the contrary, and perform the several duties of religion:
in whose heart are the ways of them; or "thy ways" x; the ways of God, the ways of Zion, the ways to the house of God; who have these ways at heart, who ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherwards; who have not only ability, but inclination and readiness of mind, to walk in them; whose hearts are bent upon them, regarding no objection, difficulty, and discouragement; who stir up themselves and others to go up to the house of God, and are heartily desirous of being taught his ways, and walking in them, and take great pleasure and delight therein; they are ways of pleasantness and paths of peace to them; the word properly signifies "highways" y, ways cast up. Some render it "ascensions in his heart" z; the affections of whose heart go up to God, like pillars of smoke perfumed with frankincense, are after God, his ways and worship, and are set on things above.
Gill: Psa 84:6 - -- 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...
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, 2Sa 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, Jdg 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 Jer 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 Lam 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, Isa 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.
Gill: Psa 84:7 - -- They go from strength to strength,.... Whose strength is in the Lord, and in whose heart are his ways, and who pass through the valley of Baca, and fi...
They go from strength to strength,.... Whose strength is in the Lord, and in whose heart are his ways, and who pass through the valley of Baca, and find a well of supply, and pools of blessings there; they renew their spiritual strength; they grow stronger and stronger every step they take; the way of the Lord is strength unto them: or "from army to army", or "from company to company" d, as Kimchi, alluding to the companies in which they went up to the feasts; see Luk 2:44 when those who were more zealous, or more able to undergo journeys, would outgo the rest, and first overtake one company, and then another, and get to Zion first: or from victory to victory: first overcoming one enemy, and then another, as sin, Satan, and the world, being more than conquerors through him that has loved them: or "from doctrine to doctrine" e; being led first into one truth, and then into another, as they were able to bear them; and so following on to know the Lord, and increasing in the knowledge of him: or "from class to class" f; from the lower to an higher form in the school of Christ; so Jarchi interprets it, from school to school; and the Targum, from the sanctuary to the school; compare with this Rom 1:17.
everyone of them in Zion appeareth before God; three times in the year, but not empty, Exo 34:20 so the saints appear before God in his church below, presenting their persons, souls and bodies, prayers and praises, as holy and spiritual sacrifices unto him; than which nothing is more desirable to them. This is the wished for happiness, and the issue of their travel, toil, and labour; see Psa 42:2, and they shall appear before him, and in his presence, in the, church above; when Christ shall appear, they shall appear with him in glory, and be like him, and see him as he is; even everyone of them, not one shall be wanting; because he is great in power, not one of them shall fail; and he will present them to his Father, saying,
lo, I and the children thou hast given me: some render the words, "the God of gods will appear", or "be seen in Zion" g; there Jehovah manifests himself, and grants his gracious presence; this is the mount of the Lord, in which he is and shall be seen, Gen 22:14.
Gill: Psa 84:8 - -- O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer,.... the redemption of the captives, says Kimchi; for the building of the house, the temple, according to Jarchi; ...
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer,.... the redemption of the captives, says Kimchi; for the building of the house, the temple, according to Jarchi; but rather for the courts of God, an opportunity of attending them, and for the presence of God in them; see Psa 84:2 in which he might hope to succeed, from the consideration of the Lord's being the God of hosts, or armies, in heaven and in earth; and so was able to do everything for him, and more for him than he could ask or think; his arm was not shortened, nor his ear heavy, Isa 59:1, and as this character is expressive of his power, the following is of his grace:
give ear, O God of Jacob; he being the covenant God of the people of Israel in general, and of David in particular; from whence he might comfortably conclude he would give ear to him, and it carries in it an argument why he should.
Selah. See Gill on Psa 3:2.
Gill: Psa 84:9 - -- Behold, O God our shield,.... Which may be considered either as the character of God, who is addressed, who was David's shield, and the shield of his ...
Behold, O God our shield,.... Which may be considered either as the character of God, who is addressed, who was David's shield, and the shield of his people, to protect and defend them from their enemies, and is the shield of all the saints; this favour encompasses them as a shield, and his truth is their shield and buckler; his veracity and faithfulness, in keeping covenant and promises; and so is his power, by which they are kept unto salvation; see Psa 3:3, or else it belongs to other persons and things the psalmist desires God would behold, in agreement with the following clause. Jarchi interprets it of the house of the sanctuary, as a shield unto them; much better Aben Ezra of the king their protector; and makes the sense of the petition to be, that God would save our king; it is best to apply it to Christ, afterwards called a sun and shield; see on Psa 84:11, and to whom the following clause belongs:
and look upon the face of thine anointed; meaning either himself, David, the anointed of the God of Jacob, who was anointed with oil, in a literal sense, king of Israel, by the appointment and order of the Lord himself; and his request is, that God would look upon his outward state and condition, which was a distressed and an afflicted one, with an eye of pity and compassion, he being deprived of sanctuary worship and service, and of the presence of God there; see Psa 132:1 or rather he has a view to the Messiah, the Lord's Christ, or Anointed, the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King, anointed with the oil of gladness, the grace of the Spirit, without measure; and so the sense is, that though he and his petitions were unworthy of notice, yet he entreats that God would look upon his Son the Messiah, and for his sake hear and answer him; look upon his person, and accept him in him, the Beloved; upon his future obedience and righteousness, and impute it to him; upon his sufferings, and death he was to endure, to save him from his sins; upon his blood to be shed for the remission of them, as he had looked upon the blood of the passover, upon the doorposts of the Israelites, and saved them when he destroyed the firstborn of Egypt; and upon his sacrifice, which is of a sweet smelling savour; and upon his fulness, for the supply of his wants. Kimchi takes it to be a prayer for the speedy coming of the Messiah.
expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Psa 84:1 Traditionally, “Lord of hosts.” The title draws attention to God’s sovereign position (see Ps 69:6).
NET Notes: Psa 84:3 The psalmist here romanticizes the temple as a place of refuge and safety. As he thinks of the birds nesting near its roof, he envisions them finding ...
NET Notes: Psa 84:4 The Hebrew noun is an abstract plural. The word often refers metonymically to the happiness that God-given security and prosperity produce (see v. 12 ...
NET Notes: Psa 84:5 Heb “roads [are] in their heart[s].” The roads are here those that lead to Zion (see v. 7).
NET Notes: Psa 84:6 Pools of water. Because water is so necessary for life, it makes an apt symbol for divine favor and blessing. As the pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem, G...
NET Notes: Psa 84:7 The psalmist returns to the singular (see v. 5a), which he uses in either a representative or distributive (“each one” ) sense.
NET Notes: Psa 84:9 Heb “look [on] the face of your anointed one.” The Hebrew phrase מְשִׁיחֶךָ (m...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:1 "To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah." How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O ( a ) LORD of hosts!
( a ) David complains ...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the ( b ) courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
( b ) For only the priests...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, [even] thine ( c ) altars, O LORD of hosts, my ...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:5 Blessed [is] the man whose ( d ) strength [is] in thee; in whose heart [are] the ways [of them].
( d ) Who trusts nothing in himself but in you only,...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:6 [Who] passing through the valley of ( c ) Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
( c ) So that the poor birds have more freedom than I...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:7 They go from ( f ) strength to strength, [every one of them] in Zion appeareth before God.
( f ) They are never weary but increase in strength and co...
Geneva Bible: Psa 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine ( g ) anointed.
( g ) That is, for Christ's sake, whose figure I represent.
expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 84:1-12
TSK Synopsis: Psa 84:1-12 - --1 The prophet, longing for the communion of the sanctuary,4 shews how blessed they are that dwell therein.8 He prays to be restored unto it.
Maclaren -> Psa 84:2; Psa 84:4-6
Maclaren: Psa 84:2 - --Sparrows And Altars
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Thine altars, O Lord ...
Maclaren: Psa 84:4-6 - --Happy Pilgrims
Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6. Passing through the valley of Weeping they m...
MHCC -> Psa 84:1-7; Psa 84:8-12
MHCC: Psa 84:1-7 - --The ordinances of God are the believer's solace in this evil world; in them he enjoys the presence of the living God: this causes him to regret his ab...
MHCC: Psa 84:8-12 - --In all our addresses to God, we must desire that he would look on Christ, his Anointed One, and accept us for his sake: we must look to Him with faith...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 84:1-7; Psa 84:8-12
Matthew Henry: Psa 84:1-7 - -- The psalmist here, being by force restrained from waiting upon God in public ordinances, by the want of them is brought under a more sensible convic...
Matthew Henry: Psa 84:8-12 - -- Here, I. The psalmist prays for audience and acceptance with God, not mentioning particularly what he desired God would do for him. He needed to say...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 84:1-4; Psa 84:5-12
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 84:1-4 - --
How loved and lovely ( ידידות ) is the sacred dwelling-place ( plur . as in Psa 43:3) of the all-commanding, redemptive God, viz., His dwelli...
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 84:5-12 - --
This second half takes up the "blessed"of the distichic epode (epoodo's) of the first, and consequently joins member to member chain-like on to it. ...
Constable: Psa 73:1--89:52 - --I. Book 3: chs 73--89
A man or men named Asaph wrote 17 of the psalms in this book (Pss. 73-83). Other writers w...
Constable: Psa 84:1-12 - --Psalm 84
This psalm like Psalms 42 and 43 expresses the writer's desire for the Lord's sanctuary. It is ...
Constable: Psa 84:1-3 - --1. Longing for the Lord's presence 84:1-4
84:1-2 The dwelling places of the Lord of armies were His temple and its courtyards. This is where God abode...
Constable: Psa 84:4-6 - --2. Travelling to the temple 84:5-7
The person who sets his or her heart on finding strength in t...
Constable: Psa 84:7-11 - --3. Praying on the way 84:8-12
84:8-9 The pilgrim addressed God in prayer as he travelled. He interceded for the king who was as a shield for the peopl...
expand allIntroduction / Outline
JFB: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Hebrew title of this book is Tehilim ("praises" or "hymns"), for a leading feature in its contents is praise, though the word occurs in the title ...
JFB: Psalms (Outline)
ALEPH. (Psa 119:1-8).
This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two let...
TSK: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Psalms have been the general song of the universal Church; and in their praise, all the Fathers have been unanimously eloquent. Men of all nation...
TSK: Psalms 84 (Chapter Introduction) Overview
Psa 84:1, The prophet, longing for the communion of the sanctuary, Psa 84:4, shews how blessed they are that dwell therein; Psa 84:8, He ...
Poole: Psalms (Book Introduction) OF PSALMS
THE ARGUMENT
The divine authority of this Book of PSALMS is so certain and evident, that it was never questioned in the church; which b...
Poole: Psalms 84 (Chapter Introduction) THE ARGUMENT .
The author of this Psalm seems to have been David, partly because it is ascribed to no other, and partly because it is most agreeable...
MHCC: Psalms (Book Introduction) David was the penman of most of the psalms, but some evidently were composed by other writers, and the writers of some are doubtful. But all were writ...
MHCC: Psalms 84 (Chapter Introduction) (Psa 84:1-7) The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.
(Psa 84:8-12) His desire towards the God of the ordinances.
Matthew Henry: Psalms (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Psalms
We have now before us one of the choicest and most excellent parts of all the Old Te...
Matthew Henry: Psalms 84 (Chapter Introduction) Though David's name be not in the title of this psalm, yet we have reason to think he was the penman of it, because it breathes so much of his exce...
Constable: Psalms (Book Introduction) Introduction
Title
The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is Tehillim, which means...
Constable: Psalms (Outline) Outline
I. Book 1: chs. 1-41
II. Book 2: chs. 42-72
III. Book 3: chs. 73...
Constable: Psalms Psalms
Bibliography
Allen, Ronald B. "Evidence from Psalm 89." In A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus,...
Haydock: Psalms (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
INTRODUCTION.
The Psalms are called by the Hebrew, Tehillim; that is, hymns of praise. The author, of a great part of ...
Gill: Psalms (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALMS
The title of this book may be rendered "the Book of Praises", or "Hymns"; the psalm which our Lord sung at the passover is c...
Gill: Psalms 84 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 84
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Of "gittith", See Gill on Psa 8:1. The Targum renders i...
