Psalms 84:5

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;

In whose heart are the highways to Zion.

Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs;

Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings.

They go from strength to strength;

Every one of them appeareth before God in Zion.

O Jehovah God of hosts, hear my prayer;

Give ear, O God of Jacob. (Selah)"

"In whose heart are the highways to Zion" (Psalms 84:5). This is the verse that is seized upon by some writers as an excuse for calling this psalm a pilgrimage hymn; but the translation, even in our version is strongly suspect. The words "to Zion" is in italics, indicating that they are not in the Bible at all but have been added by translators.

The current popular opinion that makes this psalm a pilgrimage song is founded upon a single word in Psalms 84:5 ("ways") which never means pilgrimage but is constantly treated as if it did.

"Highways" (Psalms 84:5). These are not roads, in the ordinary sense; they are "in the hearts" of those who love God; "These `ways' are being pondered (in men's hearts); and they refer to `directions,' or `courses of action' that should be followed in specific situations."[4]

"Passing through the valley of Weeping" (Psalms 84:6). Of course, this passage also is alleged to refer to some actual valley on one of the `roads' to Zion, but we cannot believe there ever was such a literal valley. We appreciate the great big "if" that appears in Addis' comment in speaking of it. He wrote: "Possibly there was such a valley."[5] Maybe so; but there is no such valley on any of the maps of ancient Palestine that are available to us.

The truth is, this is not a reference to any kind of literal valley. "The valley of Weeping" is any period of loss, sorrow, grief, deprivation, or disaster through which God's child must pass during his earthly sojourn; and the glory of God's service is that it enables the worshipper to change even sorrows into springs of praise and thanksgiving. The rains mentioned in the same context are a reference to God's blessing upon those who suffer.

"They go from strength to strength" (Psalms 84:7). The faithful worshipper of God finds his faith strengthened and increased day by day.

"Hear my prayer, O God of Jacob" (Psalms 84:8). Constant prayer is an element in the life of every faithful soul. Prayer has been called the "breath of the saints"; and when one stops praying, he is either spiritually dead, or soon will be.