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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 84:8-12

Here, I. The psalmist prays for audience and acceptance with God, not mentioning particularly what he desired God would do for him. He needed to say no more when he had professed such an affectionate esteem for the ordinances of God, which now he was restrained and banished from. All his desire was, in that profession, plainly before God, and his longing, his groaning, was not hidden from him; therefore he prays (Ps. 84:8, 9) only that God would hear his prayer and give ear, that he would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield ,.... Christ is "the sun of righteousness", and it is in the house of God that he arises upon his people with healing in his wings, Malachi 4:2 he is like the sun, the great light, the fountain of light, the light of the world, that dispels darkness, makes day, and gives light to all the celestial bodies, moon and stars, church and ministers; he is a "sun" to enlighten his people with the light of grace, to warm them with the beams of his love, to cheer... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield - To illuminate, invigorate, and warm; to protect and defend all such as prefer him and his worship to every thing the earth can produce. It is remarkable that not one of the Versions understand the שמש shemesh , as signifying sun, as we do. They generally concur in the following translation: "For the Lord loveth mercy and truth, and he will give grace and glory." The Chaldee says, "The Lord is as a high wall and a strong shield; grace and glory... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:11

Verse 11 11.Jehovah God is our sun and shield. The idea conveyed by the comparison derived from the sun is, that as the sun by his light vivifies, nourishes, and rejoices the world, so the benign countenance of God fills with joy the hearts of his people, or rather, that they neither live nor breathe except in so far as he shines upon them. By the term shield is meant, that our salvation, which would otherwise be perilled by countless dangers, is in perfect safety under his protection. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1-12

The psalm falls into three equal stanzas or strophes, each of four verses, the ends of the first and second stanzas being shown by the pause mark, "selah." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1-12

The soul's sweet home. This is one of the Korahite psalms, like Psalms 42:1-11 ; Psalms 43:1-5 ; and some eight others. The late Dean Plumptre, in his 'Biblical Studies,' pp. 163-166, gives reasons for concluding that they all belong to the reign of Hezekiah, and were written by members of the Levitical family of Korah. One or more of them, it may be, hindered by the presence of the army of Sennacherib from going up to the temple, as they had been wont to do, pours out his grief in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:11

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; i.e. not only a "Shield" or protection, as he has been already called ( Psalms 84:9 ), but also a "Sun," the source of life and light, of joy and happiness (comp. Isaiah 60:19 , Isaiah 60:20 ; Malachi 4:2 ). The Lord will give grace and glory. Inward grace, outward splendour and glory ( Revelation 21:11-24 ). No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (see 1 Corinthians 2:9 ; 1 Timothy 4:8 ; and Psalms 34:10 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:11

What God is to his people. I. GOOD MEN ENJOY THE GRANDEST EXPERIENCES . 1 . God is to them a Sun and Shield . These figures refer to our moral state as dark and dangerous. Alienation of the soul from God is a state of darkness. God is the Source of our light and life and joy. Our danger is—life is a great battlefield. We have protection from God if we are on his side. The battle is his. 2 . He gives to them grace and glory. Grace is unmerited favour. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:11-12

Conditional bestowments. What God is to his people, and what he does for them, may be put into two figures, and expressed in two plain statements. But what he is to them, and what he does for them, depend on what they are in themselves, and what they are toward him. This the sincerely good man is always willing to recognize. I. THE DIVINE BESTOWMENTS . 1 . Suggested by two figures. 2 . Suggested by two statements. II. THE DIVINE CONDITIONS . "From them that walk... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun - The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, “For the Lord loveth mercy and truth.” Our translation, however, is the correct one. The sun gives light, warmth, beauty, to the creation; so God is the source of light, joy, happiness, to the soul. Compare Isaiah 60:19; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5.And shield - See Psalms 84:9.The Lord will give grace and glory - Grace, or favor, here; glory, or honor, in the world to come. He will bestow all needful favor on... read more

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