Psalm 84:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:6

Who passing through the valley of Baca - This is one of the most difficult verses in the Book of Psalms, and has been, of course, very variously interpreted. The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, Luther, and Professor Alexander, render it a valley of tears. The word “Baca” (בכא bâkâ') means properly weeping, lamentation; and then it is given to a certain tree - not probably a mulberry tree, but some species of balsam - from its weeping; that is, because it seemed to distil tears, or drops of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 84:6

Psalms 84:6. Who passing Or, being used to pass; for he seems not to speak of one particular act, but of a common course or custom; through the valley of Baca A place so called, which some Jewish and other writers affirm to have been a very dry place, and therefore incommodious for travellers in those hot countries, and in hot seasons. Which place may be here mentioned, not exclusively of other ways; for this highway being but one, and on one side of Jerusalem, could not be a general... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 84:1-12

Psalms 84:0 Joy in God’s houseOn account of the difficulties and dangers people faced in travelling from remote areas to Jerusalem, some Israelites could visit the temple only once or twice each year. The present psalm reflects the joy and satisfaction of one such traveller as he comes to the temple to worship (1-2). Even the birds who make their nests in the temple courtyard have meaning for this man. As they find rest in their nests, so he finds rest in God’s house (3-4).The traveller is so... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 84:6

of Baca = of weeping. All the ancient versions so render it. make it. Septuagint reads "He maketh it". a well = a place of springs. rain = the early rain. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 84:5-7

Psalms 84:5-7. Blessed is the man, &c.— These words may be rendered, Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; the highways are in the midst of them: Who, passing through the valley of Baca, turn it into a spring; even when the rain filleth the pools. They go from valley to valley: The God of gods shall appear in Sion. Mudge renders these verses in nearly the same manner; and so do the generality of interpreters, who all agree that the original is indeterminate, and attended with great... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 84:6

6. valley of Baca—or, "weeping." Through such, by reason of their dry and barren condition, the worshippers often had to pass to Jerusalem. As they might become wells, or fountains, or pools, supplied by refreshing rain, so the grace of God, by the exercises of His worship, refreshes and revives the hearts of His people, so that for sorrows they have "rivers of delight" (Psalms 36:8; Psalms 46:4). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 84:1-12

Psalms 84This psalm, like Psalms 42, 43, expresses the writer’s desire for the Lord’s sanctuary. It is one of the pilgrim or ascent psalms that the Israelites sang as they traveled to the sanctuary to worship God (cf. Psalms 120-134). In it, the unknown writer declared the blessed condition of those who go to the temple to pray to Yahweh. The sons of Korah were those who arranged and or sang this psalm in Israel’s public worship. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 84:5-7

2. Travelling to the temple 84:5-7The person who sets his or her heart on finding strength in the Lord experiences great blessing. Such a person looked forward to travelling to Mt. Zion to worship Him there. The word "baca" means "balsam trees." The Valley of the Balsam Trees was evidently an arid region that the writer used as an example of a spiritually dry state. The pilgrim whose heart anticipated temple worship joyfully found spiritual refreshment in situations others found parched. His... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 84:1-12

This Ps. sets forth the attractiveness of the Temple and its worship (Psalms 84:1-4), and the happiness of the pilgrims who gather to it from different parts of the land (Psalms 84:5-7). After a prayer for God’s favour (Psalms 84:8-9), it speaks of the privilege of the humblest office in the Temple (Psalms 84:10), and closes by describing the graciousness of God (Psalms 84:11), and the blessedness of trusting Him (Psalms 84:12). The Ps. belongs to a period when the Temple was standing, and when... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 84:5-7

(5-7) In these verses, as in the analogous picture (Isaiah 35:6-8; comp. Hosea 2:15-16), there is a blending of the real and the figurative; the actual journey towards Sion is represented as accompanied with ideal blessings of peace and refreshment. It is improbable that the poet would turn abruptly from the description of the swallows in the Temple to what looks like a description of a real journey, with a locality, or at all events a district, which was well known, introduced by its proper... read more

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