The Book of Psalms
Psalm 84
Psalm LXXXIV · Vol. II, pp. 1041–1042
1 The psalmist, longing for the communion of the sanctuary, 4 showeth how blessed they are that dwell therein. 8 He prayeth to be restored unto it.
To the chief musician upon aGittith, A psalm for1 the sons of Korah.
2 Myc soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the LORD: dmy heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow2 hath found an house, and the swallow3 a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars,4 O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
A.M. cir. 2983. B.C. cir. 1021.
2 The sparrow.—This is not in the original a specific name, but a general term for any bird.—C.
3 Swallow. Rather the turtle or ring-dove.—C.
4 Or, 'as the sparrow findeth an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, so findeth my soul thine altars.' See ver.1,2,10.
4 Blessede are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.5
e Ps.65.4; 134.1-3; 71.8,15; 145.1,2,21.
5 See note on Ps.3.2.—C.
8 Ol LORD God of hosts, nhear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
10 Forq a day in thy courts is better than a thousand: I had rather be a door-keeper2 in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Notes
Ver. 3. Even is not in the Hebrew. The words between yea and young should rather be taken as a parenthesis, and the meaning stands thus—'My heart cries out for the living God, for thine altars, O Lord of hosts,' &c. That birds could not build in the altars, is evident both from their construction and constant use; nor can altars be put for courts, for they are already mentioned. The longing of the psalmist is for the altar of sacrifice, the one great sacrifice that perfects for ever them that are sanctified. He. 10. 12, 14. C.——'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 strangely in contrast with this was the condition of the wandering—the exiled—author of the psalm!' (Barnes). P.
Ver. 6. Baca. Not any particular place; for the people, in ascending to the festivals, could not all pass through any one valley. It signifies, 'valley of weeping,' the emblem of the life of 'the Man of Sorrows,' 'in the fellowship of whose sufferings' every pilgrim of Zion must partake, Phi. 3. 10. C.
Ver. 5-7. The meaning of this difficult passage is probably this:—'Blessed is the man whose strength (or trust) is in thee, whose heart rejoiceth at the prospect of following the way to thy house. Even when passing through the vale of misery—through sorrow and suffering and persecution—make it as a well (or fountain of delight), and the early rain falleth upon it, and covereth it with verdure. They go from strength, and at length appear before God perfect in Zion. P.——Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. 'The God of gods will appear to them.' (Williams). C.
Ver. 8. Give ear, O God of Jacob. See note on Ps. 81. 1. Christ here personally intercedes for the church, and him 'the Father heareth always,' Jn. 11. 42. C.
Reflections.—What inexpressible beauty gracious souls see in holiness and in holy work! Fellowship with God in Christ, in his ordinances, is the delight, the desire of their soul. The meanest abode, with his presence and ordinances, is preferred to a palace without them. Not only faithful ministers who attend to their work, but all who study a life of close fellowship with God, and faithful service of him, increase their joy in the Lord and their strength for his work. If our heart be once engaged we can walk with pleasure in God's ways, and in attending his solemn ordinances. However troublesome the way to heaven be, not one of those who truly set out need faint or miscarry. And O the inexpressible glories they there enjoy in the immediate vision and presence of God! If he be our own and our father's God we shall never seek him in vain. If he be our shield we shall be safe from fear of evil. If our confidence towards him be founded solely on the merit and intercession of Jesus his Anointed, he cannot but behold us in mercy and love. Infinitely preferable is fellowship with God in his ordinances, to all the pleasures of sin or sense that can be enjoyed on earth: and happy are those who have God all in all to them, bestowing all on them; and who, in all cases, depend for all they need only upon him.