psalm-84:1-4,psalm-84:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:3

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young . Both sparrows and swallows abound in Palestine. Canon Tristram found the nest of a sparrow "so closely allied to our own that it is difficult to distinguish it," in a chink of the Haram wall at Jerusalem, near the Golden Gate. An anecdote related by Herodotus shows that sparrows built about the Greek temples. The general meaning of the figure in this place seems to be, "If even birds love... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:3

Sanctuary birds. The sparrow and the swallow told of here are apt types of those servants of God who find in him what these birds found in the temple. The comparison of the soul of one of God's people to a bird is not unusual (see Psalms 11:1-7 .). Note— I. SOME OF THEIR CHARACTERISTICS . 1 . Such as are negative. They are not distinguished, like the eagle and many others, but of a very humble and lowly sort; nor powerful and strong; nor beautiful; nor valuable—"Are not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:3

Envy at the birds. The man prevented from sharing in the public worship of the temple thinks enviously of the very sparrows and swallows that flit through its courts and build their nests under its eaves. Sparrows are very abundant in the East. Swallows make their nests, not only in the verandahs, but even in the rooms, within the mosques, and in the sacred tombs. Josephus tells us that the outer courts of the temple were planted with trees. "It is a singularly natural and beautiful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:4

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. As the Korahite Levites did, being "keepers of the gates" of the Lord's house ( 1 Chronicles 9:19 ; 1 Chronicles 26:1 ). They will be still praising thee. It is their privilege to be always praising thee. "The speaker regards the temple as predominantly the house of praise" (Cheyne). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 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, 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 Psalms 45:0. 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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 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 earnestly. It would properly denote such a longing or desire as to make one faint or exhausted; that is, it indicates intense desire. In Psalms 17:12, it is applied to a hungry lion; “Like a lion that is greedy of its prey.” In Genesis 31:30, it conveys the idea of intense desire: “Because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house.” For an illustration of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 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 - צפור tsippôr - is a name given to a bird from its chirping or twittering. It is rendered sparrow in Leviticus 14:4 (margin); Psalms 102:7; and is often rendered bird (Genesis 7:14; Genesis 15:10, et al.), and fowl, Deuteronomy 4:17; Nehemiah 5:18; et al. It may denote a bird of any kind, but is properly applied here to a sparrow, a species of bird very common... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 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 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 Psalms 65:4.They... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 84:1

Psalms 84:1-2. How amiable are thy tabernacles That is, thy tabernacle, termed tabernacles; either, 1st, Because it consisted of several parts; or, 2d, To denote its excellence; as behemoth, or beasts, is put for one eminent beast, (Job 40:15,) and wisdoms for excellent wisdom, Proverbs 1:20. My soul longeth, &c. With vehement desire, to tread again the courts of the Lord’s house, and join with his people in the holy worship there performed. Yea, even fainteth So the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 84:3

Psalms 84:3. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house That is, a habitation, namely, a nest, as it follows. Even thine altar Or nigh thine altar, as the Hebrew particle, את , eth, often signifies, and is rendered by the Seventy and the Chaldee, Judges 4:11. In the Hebrew it is altars, namely, that of burnt-offerings, and the other of incense: near which these birds might be truly said to have their nests, if, as is probable, they were either in some part of the tabernacle or temple, in... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 84:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 84:3

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