Psalm 84:1-2 NIV

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

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:2

Verse 2 I have observed, that in the second verse a more than ordinary ardor of desire is expressed. The first verb, כספ, casaph, signifies vehemently to desire; but not contented with this word, David adds, that his soul fainteth after the courts of the Lord, which is equivalent to our pining away, when, under the influence of extreme mental emotion, we are in a manner transported out of ourselves. He speaks only of the courts of the tabernacle, because, not being a priest, it was not lawful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1

How amiable are thy tabernacles! or, "how lovely are thy dwellings!!" The plural is used, as in Psalms 43:3 ; Psalms 46:4 (also Korahite); and Psalms 132:7 , either because the temple was made up of several compartments, or as a "plural of dignity." O Lord of hosts (comp. Psalms 132:3 , Psalms 132:8 , Psalms 132:12 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1

A test of our spiritual state. We may not find Davidic associations with this psalm. It was composed by one of the musically gifted family known as the "sons of Korah;" and may be compared with Psalms 42:1-11 ; Psalms 44:1-26 . They were a family of Levites whose inheritance lay on the eastern side of the Jordan. "Dwelling on the other side of Jordan, it was often impossible for them to reach Jerusalem. When the river swelled and rose with the melting snows of winter, or with the heavy... 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

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

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 84:1-7

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