Psalm 84:1-4 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 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 conviction than ever of the worth of them. Observe, I. The wonderful beauty he saw in holy institutions (Ps. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 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 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 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, 2 Chronicles 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 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 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 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 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 Psalm 65:4 , the Targum is, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 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 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 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 heart and my flesh - All the desires of my soul and body; every appetite and wish, both animal and spiritual, long for thy service. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 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, 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,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 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 wherein it has built its nest. 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. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:1

Verse 1 1How 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... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 84:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 84:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 84:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 84:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 84:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:1

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