Psalm 84:5

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 84:5

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee , Or, "for thee", as some choose to render the words; who have bodily strength from the Lord, for his worship and service, to go up to his house, and serve him: this, with what follows in the two next verses, seem to refer to the males in Israel going up from different parts of the land to Jerusalem to worship, who had strength so to do; when the women and children, for want thereof, stayed at home, which was their infelicity, as it was the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:5

The man whose strength is in thee - read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:5

Verse 5 5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. David again informs us, that the purpose for which he desired liberty of access to the sanctuary was, not merely to gratify his eyes with what was to be seen there, but to make progress in faith. To lean with the whole heart upon God, is to attain to no ordinary degree of advancement: and this cannot be attained by any man, unless all his pride is laid prostrate in the dust, and his heart truly humbled. In proposing to himself this way of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1-7

The glory of worship. I. HELPS US TO REALIZE OUR NEARNESS TO GOD . ( Psalms 84:1 .) "How lovely are thy dwellings!" or "the house where thou dwellest." II. IT IS THE EXPRESSION OF THE DEEPEST LONGING OF THE HEART AND SOUL . ( Psalms 84:2 .) III. IT GIVES THE SENSE OF BEING AT HOME WITH GOD . ( Psalms 84:3 .) He is at a distance from the sanctuary; and the birds of the air seem nearer God than he is. IV. IT ... 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 84:5

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. God is the "Strength" of all who trust in him. The psalmist seems to mean that mere dwelling in the house of God is not enough for blessedness. Trust in God—having God for one's Strength—is also requisite (comp. Psalms 84:12 ). In whose heart are the ways of them; literally, in whose heart are highways. The "highways" intended are probably those of holiness (comp. Proverbs 16:17 and Isaiah 35:8 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:5-6

The joy of the pilgrims. In these verses there is a blending of the real and the figurative; the actual journey towards Zion is represented as accompanied with ideal blessings of peace and refreshment. The poet has thought of the blessedness of those who dwell constantly in God's house. Now he thinks of the blessedness of those who are permitted to go there, and to tarry there for a while. And this leads him to recall what happy times he had known, even in the journeys to Jerusalem.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:5

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee - Not merely are they blessed who dwell there permanently, but the man also whose heart is there; who feels that his strength is in God alone who loves to go there when opportunity is afforded him, treading his way to Zion. The idea is, that all strength must come from God; that this Strength is to be obtained by waiting on him (compare the notes at Isaiah 40:31), and that, therefore, it is a privilege thus to wait on God. Compare Psalms 84:7.In... read more

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