Psalms 84:1 — Word Study
WLCמַה־ יְּדִיד֥וֹת מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach According toʻal GittithGittîyth A Psalmmizmôwr of the sonsbên of KorahQôrach
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַה־ | how! | Pronoun |
| יְּדִיד֥וֹת | lovely | |
| מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ | [are] dwelling place your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| יְהוָ֥ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| צְבָאֽוֹת׃ | of hosts | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts! |
| KJV | How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! |
| ASV | How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts! |
| YLT | To the Overseer. — 'On the Gittith By sons of Korah.' — A Psalm. How beloved Thy tabernacles, Jehovah of Hosts! |
| WEB | How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Armies! |
| BBE | How dear are your tents, O Lord of armies! |
Where they part company is מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by an address to God, emphasizing the psalmist's admiration and reverence.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 84:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Joy of Dwelling with Godgenerated
Psalm 84:1 reveals the psalmist's admiration for the beauty of God's dwelling place, which signifies a deep connection to the divine. This psalm emphasizes the joy and longing for being in the presence of God, contrasting the earthly experience with the heavenly hope found in God's house. The verses that follow express a heartfelt yearning for communion with God, illustrating the significance of His presence in the life of the believer.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 8:1 | O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. |
| 2 | Psalm 81:1 | Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. |
| 3 | Psalm 36:8 | They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights. |
| 4 | Psalm 27:4 | One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple. |
| 5 | Psalm 48:1–2 | Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְּדִיד֥וֹת, ye.di.Dotgenerated
The word יָדִיד (yadid) means 'beloved' or 'lovely', derived from a root meaning 'to love'. This term is used poetically in the Old Testament to describe something that is cherished and amiable. Its usage here conveys the psalmist's deep affection for God's dwelling, suggesting that it is not merely a physical space but a place of love and divine presence.
The parsing of yadid indicates it is a common noun, emphasizing its role in describing the nature of God's dwelling. The word's frequency in the text highlights its importance in conveying the psalmist's emotional response to God's presence.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is introduced by the finite verb מַה־, how!, leading into the subject יְּדִיד֥וֹת, lovely, followed by the noun phrase מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ, your dwelling place. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's admiration right from the start, establishing a tone of reverence and affection.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the qualities of God's dwelling, with the adjective יְּדִיד֥וֹת preceding the noun, highlighting its beauty and significance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְּדִיד֥וֹת as ἀγαπητόν, meaning 'beloved' or 'dear'. This choice reflects a similar sentiment of affection found in the Hebrew, reinforcing the idea of God's dwelling as cherished and precious.
The translation of מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ as κατοικίας indicates a focus on the aspect of residence, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while also suggesting a more permanent sense of place.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 84:1 expresses the psalmist's admiration for God's dwelling place, describing it as lovely and cherished. This verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, which reflects a longing for God's presence and the joy found in being close to Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The 'dwelling place' refers to the sacred space where God resides, often understood as the Tabernacle or Temple, symbolizing His presence among His people.
The term 'lovely' reflects the psalmist's deep affection and reverence for God's dwelling, indicating that it is a place of beauty and divine connection.
This verse introduces the theme of longing for God's presence, which is further explored in the subsequent verses, where the psalmist expresses a deep desire to be in God's courts.
The psalmist's longing for God's dwelling encourages believers to seek a deeper relationship with God and to find joy in His presence.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I find beauty in my relationship with God?
- How can I cultivate a deeper longing for God's presence in my life?
- What does it mean to me to consider God's dwelling place as lovely?
- How can I express my appreciation for the sacred spaces in my life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church commentators, like Augustine, reflect on the yearning expressed in this verse, illustrating the spiritual significance of longing for God's presence.
If therefore you feel the passions of this world, even when you are happy, you understand now that you are in the winepress....If therefore the world smile upon you with happiness, imagine yourself in the winepress, and say,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 84 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 84:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHow 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
Read John Gill on Psalms 84 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHow amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! Psalms 84:1-12.-Meditation on the blessedness of dwelling in God's house (Psalms 84:1-7); prayer on the ground that Yahweh giveth grace and glory to
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 84 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePsalms 84 THE . The author of this Psalm seems to have been David, partly because it is ascribed to no other, and partly because it is most agreeable to his style and condition, and the occasion of it, his banishment or absence from the place of God’ s worship; either, 1. In Saul’ s time, which suits not with , for then the tabernacle was not in Zion. Or rather, 2. During Absalom’ s rebellion. The prophet, commending the sanctuary, , longeth for communion with it, ,3; showeth the blessed state and condition of such as dwell therein, ; prayeth to be restored unto it, ,9; preferreth one day therein before a thousand elsewhere, . What the Lord is to them that trust in him, ,12. Thy tabernacle…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 84 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 84:1 « To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. » How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!A Psalm] Or the same subject with the forty-second, and made when David was banished, either by Saul or Absalom, or else when busied abroad in his wars, 2 Samuel 8:1-14, and so debarred from the use of God’ s public ordinances. Ver. 1. How amiable are thy tabernacles] viz. For thy word’ s sake that is there preached, and thy worship there performed. The Protestants at Lyons, in France, called their place for public meeting to serve God Paradise. Chrysostom calleth it the place of angels and archangels, the kingdom of God, yea, heaven itself (Hom. 36, ad 1…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 84 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) How amiable.—Better, How loved and how lovable. The Hebrew word combines both senses. Tabernacles.—Better, perhaps, dwellings. (Comp. Psalms 43:3.) The plural is used poetically, therefore we need not think of the various courts of the Temple.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 84 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BiblePSALM LXXXIV The psalmist longs for communion with God in the sanctuary, 1-3. The blessedness of those who enjoy God's ordinances, 4-7. With confidence in God, he prays for restoration to his house and worship, 8-12. NOTES ON PSALM LXXXIV The title here is the same as that of Ps 81:1, only that was for Asaph, this for the sons of Korah. This person was one of the chief rebels against Moses and Aaron; there were three, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who made an insurrection; and the earth opened, and swallowed them and their partisans up, Numbers 16:31-32. The children of Dathan and Abiram perished with their fathers; but by a particular dispensation of Providence, the children of Korah were…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 84 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1, 2. The Psalmist’s delight in the house of God.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 84 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHow amiable - How much to he loved; how lovely. The word amiable is now used to denote a quality of mind or disposition - as gentle, affectionate, kind.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 84 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts!
How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Armies!
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts!
How lovely is the place where you live, O Lord who rules over all!
Tyndale line
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts!
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
To him that excelleth upon Gittith. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. O Lord of hostes, howe amiable are thy Tabernacles!
Strictly literal
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts!
To the Overseer. — 'On the Gittith By sons of Korah.' — A Psalm. How beloved Thy tabernacles, Jehovah of Hosts!
TO THE OVERSEER. ON THE GITTITH. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. How beloved Your dwelling places, YHWH of Hosts!
“To the chief musician upon Gittith, by the sons of Korach, a psalm.” (84:2) How lovely are thy dwelling-places, O Lord of hosts!
How lovely is the place where you live, Yahweh of hosts!
From the Latin
Unto the end, for the sons of Core, a psalm.
Simplified
How wonderful is the place where you live, Lord Almighty!
How dear are your tents, O Lord of armies!
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads מַה־ יְּדִיד֥וֹת מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃, while the Septuagint matches four of the five words closely, reflecting a strong agreement in the core message. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some editorial restoration but align with the Masoretic Text in essence.
מַה־ יְּדִיד֥וֹת מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
למנצח [על] [הגתית] [לבני] [קרח] [מזמור]
1 word on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 84:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.
מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught
interrog. what?
Used adverbially
Indef. pron.
With preps.
base
H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַהּ, מֶה, מַּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?
. Used adverbially
. Indef. pron.
. With preps.
4100 mah maw
or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a
primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including
how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including
how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even
relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various
adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-
soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),
whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
מָה (mah) — what?.
interr pron
1) what, how, of what kind
1a) (interrogative)
1a1) what?
1a2) of what kind
1a3) what? (rhetorical)
1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what
1b) (adverb)
1b1) how, how now
1b2) why
1b3) how! (exclamation)
1c) (with prep)
1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?
1c2) because of what?
1c3) the like of what?
1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?
1c3b) for how long?
1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?
1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?
indef pron
2) anything, aught, what may
HPi — PronounHPi
Represents various Hebrew and Greek words, interrogative, interjectional and relative. Its different uses refer to
(1) the manner or way, e.g. Ge 44:34, "How shall I go up to my father?" ('ekh); Mt 6:28, "how they grow" (pos); 1Co 15:35, "How are the dead raised?";
(2) degree, extent, frequently, "how great" (Da 4:3, mah; Mr 5:19, hosos, "how much"); "how many" (Mt 27:13, posos); "how much" (Ac 9:13, hosos); "how much more" (Mt 7:11, posos;
יָדִיד (yadid) means 'beloved' or 'lovely' and is used poetically in the Old Testament. It is derived from a root meaning 'to love.' The entries indicate that it can refer to something or someone that is amiable or well-loved, with no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
[יָדִיד] adj. (poet.) beloved
my beloved
lovely
a song of love
base
H3039a יָדִיד beloved H3039b יָדִיד beloved
3039 ydiyd yed-eed'
from the same as 1730; loved:--amiable, (well-)beloved,
loves.
see HEBREW for 01730
יָדִיד (ye.did) — beloved.
1) beloved
2) lovely
יָדִידָה (ye.di.dah) — love.
love
HAafpa — HAafpa
luv'-li ('ahabh, 'ahebh; prosphiles): "Lovely" occurs only 4 times. In 2Sa 1:23 it is the translation of 'ahebh, "to be loved" ("Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant (the King James Version margin "sweet") in their lives"), where it seems to mean "loving" or "lovable." Two other words are so translated in the Old Testament: machmadch, "desire" a "desirable thing" (So 5:16, "He is altogether lovely," that is, "lovable," "to be desired," literally, "all of him lovableness," or "desirableness"); `aghabhim "loves," or "charms" (Eze 33:32, "Thou art unto them as a very lovely song," the King James Version margin "a song of loves," the Revised Version margin "a love-song"; in 33:31 the same word is translated "much love," the…
מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) means 'dwelling-place' or 'tabernacle.' It is derived from a root meaning to dwell and can refer to various types of residences, including the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. The term encompasses both literal and figurative meanings, such as a grave or the Temple.
מִשְׁכָּן 139 n.m. dwelling-place, ‘tabernacle’
base
H4908 מִשְׁכָּן dwelling-place, ‘tabernacle’
4908 mishkan mish-kawn'
from 7931; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair
of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple);
specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden
walls):--dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle,
tent.
see HEBREW for 07931
מִשְׁכָּן (mish.kan) — tabernacle.
1) dwelling place, tabernacle
1a) dwelling-place
1b) dwellings
Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)
HNcfpc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word צָבָא (*tsaba'*) primarily means 'army' or 'warfare,' encompassing organized groups for battle, divine hosts, and even celestial bodies. It can also refer to service or duty in a military context. The term appears in various forms, including צְבָאוֹת (*tsaba'ot*), which denotes the 'hosts' of the Lord, particularly in relation to God's role in warfare.
צָבָא 485 n.m. army, war, warfare
army, host
war, warfare, service
service
צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)
base
H6635a צָבָא army, war, warfare . army, host
. war, warfare, service
. service
H6635b צְבָאוֹת army, war, warfare . army, host
. war, warfare, service
. service
. צְבָאוֹת, in name of י׳ as God of war, prob. first in time of warlike David (some connect with sacred ark, but ark older)
6635 tsaba' tsaw-baw'
or (feminine) tsbadah {tseb-aw-aw'}; from 6633; a mass of
persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized
for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or
figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed
time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers,
waiting upon, war(-fare).
see HEBREW for 06633
צָבָא (tsa.va) — army.
: army
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1a) army, host
1a1) host (of organised army)
1a2) host (of angels)
1a3) of sun, moon, and stars
1a4) of whole creation
1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
1c) service
צָבָא (tsa.va) — Hosts.
The Hosts (of the Lord)
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: war.
: war
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1a) army, host
1a1) host (of organised army)
1a2) host (of angels)
1a3) of sun, moon, and stars
1a4) of whole creation
1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
1c) service
צָבָא (tsa.va) — army: duty.
: duty
1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
1a) army, host
1a1) host (of organised army)
1a2) host (of angels)
1a3) of sun, moon, and stars
1a4) of whole creation
1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war
1c) service
HNcfpa — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa