3. thine altars—that is, of burnt offering and incense, used for the whole tabernacle. Its structure afforded facilities for sparrows and swallows to indulge their known predilections for such places. Some understand the statement as to the birds as a comparison: "as they find homes, so do I desire thine altars," &c. read more
4. This view is favored by the language here, which, as in Psalms 15:1; Psalms 23:6, recognizes the blessing of membership in God's family by terms denoting a dwelling in His house. read more
The dwelling places of the Lord of armies were His temple and its courtyards. This is where God abode in a localized sense during this period of Israel’s history. He promised to meet with His people in a special way there, mainly through the mediation of the Levitical priests. The ordinary Israelite could not enter the temple building proper but could worship God in its courtyards. read more
1. Longing for the Lord’s presence 84:1-4 read more
Psalms 84This psalm, like Psalms 42, 43, expresses the writer’s desire for the Lord’s sanctuary. It is one of the pilgrim or ascent psalms that the Israelites sang as they traveled to the sanctuary to worship God (cf. Psalms 120-134). In it, the unknown writer declared the blessed condition of those who go to the temple to pray to Yahweh. The sons of Korah were those who arranged and or sang this psalm in Israel’s public worship. read more
The psalmist considered the birds that made their nests in the temple and its courts as specially privileged since they were always near God and protected by Him. The priests also had a great advantage because they worked in the rooms surrounding the temple. They could praise God always because they were at the center of His worship."Three times he uses the word ’Blessed’, or ’Happy’: once wistfully (4), once resolutely (5), once in deep contentment (12). These can guide us in exploring the... read more
This Ps. sets forth the attractiveness of the Temple and its worship (Psalms 84:1-4), and the happiness of the pilgrims who gather to it from different parts of the land (Psalms 84:5-7). After a prayer for God’s favour (Psalms 84:8-9), it speaks of the privilege of the humblest office in the Temple (Psalms 84:10), and closes by describing the graciousness of God (Psalms 84:11), and the blessedness of trusting Him (Psalms 84:12). The Ps. belongs to a period when the Temple was standing, and when... read more
(1) How amiable.—Better, How loved and how lovable. The Hebrew word combines both senses.Tabernacles.—Better, perhaps, dwellings. (Comp. Psalms 43:3.) The plural is used poetically, therefore we need not think of the various courts of the Temple. read more
(2) Longeth.—From root meaning to grow pale, expressing one effect of strong emotion—grows pale with longing. So the Latin poets used pallidus to express the effects of passionate love, and generally of any strong emotion:“Ambitione mala aut argenti pallet amore.”HOR., Sat. ii. 3, 78.Or we may perhaps compare Shakespeare’s“Sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought.”For a similar fervid expression of desire for communion with God, comp. Psalms 63:1.Fainteth.—Or more properly, as LXX.,... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:2
2. longeth—most intensely (Genesis 31:30; Psalms 17:12). fainteth—exhausted with desire. courts—as tabernacles (Psalms 84:1) —the whole building. crieth out—literally, "sings for joy"; but here, and Psalms 84:1- :, expresses an act of sorrow as the corresponding noun (Psalms 17:1; Psalms 61:2). heart and . . . flesh—as in Psalms 63:1. read more