Psalms 84
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
On the ground of former mercies, the Psalmist prays for renewed blessings, and, confidently expecting them, rejoices. (Psa 85:1-13) captivity--not necessarily the Babylonian, but any great evil (Psa 14:7).
Open source ↗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, Sa2 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 o…
Open source ↗How loved and lovely (ידידות) is the sacred dwelling-place (plur. as in Psa 43:3) of the all-commanding, redemptive God, viz., His dwelling-place here below upon Zion! Thither the poet is drawn by the deeply inward yearning of love, which makes him pale (נכסף from כּסף, to grow pale, Psa 17:12) and consumes him (כּלה as in Job 19:27). His heart and flesh joyfully salute the living God dwelling there, who, as a never-failing spring, quenches the thirst of the soul (Psa 42:3); the joy that he feels when he throws himself back in spirit into the long-denied delight takes possession even of his bodily nature, the bitter-sweet pain of longing completely fills him (Psa 63:2). The mention of the "courts" (with the exception of the Davidic Psa 65:5, occurring only in the anonymous Psalms) does not preclude the reference of the Psalm to the tent-temple on Zion. The Tabernacle certainly had only one חצר; the arrangement of the Davidic tent-temple, however, is indeed unknown to us, and, according to reliable traces, (Note: Vid., Knobel on Exodus, S. 253-257, especially S. 255.) it may be well assumed that it was more gorgeous and more spacious than the old Tabernacle which remained in Gibeon. In Psa 84:4 the preference must be given to that explanation which makes את־מזבּחותיך dependent upon מצאה, without being obliged to supply an intermediate thought like בּית (with hardening Dagesh like בּן, Gen 19:38, vid., the rule at Psa 52:5) and קן as a more definite statement of the object which the poet has in view. The altars, therefore, or (what this is meant to say without any need for taking את as a preposition) the realm, province of the altars of Jahve - this is the house, this the nest which sparrow and swallow have found for themselves and their young. The poet thereby only indir…
Open source ↗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 conviction than ever of the worth of them. Observe, I. The wonderful beauty he saw in holy institutions (Psa 84:1): How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! Some think that he here calls God the Lord of hosts (that is, in a special manner of the angels, the heavenly hosts) because of the presence of the angels in God's sanctuary; they attended the Shechinah, and were (as some think) signified by the cherubim. God is the Lord of these hosts, and his the tabernacle is: it is spoken of as more than one (thy tabernacles) because there were several courts in which the people attended, and because the tabernacle itself consisted of a holy place and a most holy. How amiable are these! How lovely is the sanctuary in the eyes of all that are truly sanctified! Gracious souls see a wonderful, an inexpressible, beauty in holiness, and in holy work. A tabernacle was a mean habitation, but the disadvantage of external circumstances makes holy ordinances not at all the less amiable; for the beauty of holiness is spiritual, and their glory is within. II. The longing desire he had to return to the enjoyment of public ordinances, or rather of God in them, Psa 84:2. It was an entire desire; body, soul, and spirit concurred in it. He was not conscious to himself of any rising thought to the contrary. It was an intense desire; it was like the desire of the ambitious, or covetous, or voluptuous. He longed, he fainted, he cried out, importunate to be restored to his place in God's courts, and almost impatient of delay. Yet it was not so much the courts of the Lord that he coveted, but he cried out, in prayer, for the living God himself. O that…
Open source ↗Ps 84 The psalmist expresses his deep spiritual longing for God’s presence. He faints with longing as he reflects on the Temple and on pilgrims making the journey to Jerusalem (84:1-7). He prays for himself and for the community (84:8-9). The conclusion of the psalm (84:10-12) clarifies that the Temple represents God—the psalmist truly longs for God’s presence. He knows that God’s goodness is greater than life and that only God can give his people favor and honor (84:10-11). 84:1-4 The psalmist is far from the Temple. He turns toward it in hopeful reflection.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… גִּתִּית (Gittîyth, H1665) — a Gittite harp מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קֹרַח (Qôrach, H7141) — Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites יְדִיד (yᵉdîyd, H3039) — loved מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… כָּסַף (kâçaph, H3700) — properly, to become pale, i.e. (by implication) to pine after; also to fear כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
Open source ↗צִפּוֹר (tsippôwr, H6833) — a little bird (as hopping) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) דְּרוֹר (dᵉrôwr, H1866) — the swift, a kind of swallow קֵן (qên, H7064) — a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) אֶפְרֹחַ (ʼephrôach, H667) — the brood of a bird מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); מְסִלָּה (mᵉçillâh, H4546) — a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a…
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) בָּכָא (Bâkâʼ, H1056) — Baca, a valley in Palestine בָּכָא (bâkâʼ, H1057) — the weeping tree (some gum-distilling tree, perhaps the balsam) שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) מַעְיָן (maʻyân, H4599) — a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction) מוֹרֶה (môwreh, H4175) — an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain עָטָה (ʻâṭâh, H5844) — to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or roll בְּרָכָה (Bᵉrâkâh, H1293) — benediction; by implication prosperity
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn אָזַן (ʼâzan, H238) — to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select סָפַף (çâphaph, H5605) — to wait at the threshold בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דּוּר (dûwr, H1752) — properly, to gyrate (or move in a circle), i.e. to remain אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) רֶשַׁע (reshaʻ, H7562) — a wrong (especially moral)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מָנַע (mânaʻ, H4513) — to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Open source ↗Cross-references
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One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, and to the place where You dwell.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights.
until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.
Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.