Psalms 84

Psalms 84:1-12

Longing for the House of God Psalms 84:1-12 This is one of the sweetest of the Psalms. David probably composed it during his absence from Jerusalem at the time of Absalom’ s rebellion, though its final form may have been due to the sons of Korah. It is divided into three parts by the Selahs. They who dwell in thy house, Psalms 84:1-4. The psalmist envies the winged things that rest in those hallowed precincts, and how much more the priests and Levites who serve there! Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but man can rest only in God. Those in whose hearts are the ways of Zion, Psalms 84:5-8. We may not be able actually to walk along those ways, but it is good to tread them in living sympathy with the saints, and to unite ourselves to the pilgrim hosts. Those absent from God’ s house may in their heart join the great congregation. Thus dry and desolate valleys may become filled with water springs, making them green and beautiful. When the heart is right with God, the desert becomes a temple, and tears are exchanged for smiles. The man who trusts in thee, Psalms 84:9-12. God is better than His sanctuary. He is a Sun in dark hours, and a Shadow in scorching ones. Grace is His unmerited pardon and blessing to sinners; glory the irradiation of His character, into the likeness of which we shall be changed.

A day in Thy courts One of the sweetest of the Psalms. The Gittith is said to have been a musical instrument on which some of the Psalms were played. The speaker is evidently the anointed king (Psalms 84:9), a title which clearly designates David, who constantly uses it of himself. The conception of this sacred poem must have been his during the exile caused by Absalom’s rebellion, even though its elaboration and ultimate form may have been due to the sons of Korah. Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5 are inseparably connected with this in their plan and structure, in the coloring of their language and in their rare and beautiful figures. See also Psalms 27:4.

The first seven verses, divided into four and three (as is often the case in the Psalms), contain a meditation. The remaining five are a prayer. Note the three Blesseds (Psalms 4:1-8; Psalms 5:1-12; Psalms 12:1-8).

Psalms 84:1. How amiable are thy tabernacles! Amiable in the sense of beloved.

Psalms 84:2. For the living God! The longing and fainting are closely joined with rejoicing–for so might crieth out be rendered (see R.V., marg.). Therefore they do not indicate the pain of unsatisfied desire, but of desire which is immediately satisfied, though it still craves for more. The soul which has enjoyed most of God’s grace longs most earnestly for it. In proportion to its longing is its joy.

Psalms 84:3. The sparrow hath found an house This does not mean simply that he envies the birds which build in Zion, but that he himself is as a sparrow or swallow: which, after long wandering, has found a home and nest in God’s house. “My poor little soul, the terrified little bird, has now found its right house and nest, even thine altars. If I had not found this, I must have been as a lone bird on the house-top or an owl in the desert.” Notice that it is in the altar that rest is found, i.e., in the life of consecration and obedience. If you can say, “My King,” you have found your nest.

Psalms 84:4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house Though not literally, spiritually we may dwell in the Lord’s house all our days (Psalms 23:6; Psalms 27:4). As long as you are able to praise, you are there.

Psalms 84:5. Whose strength whose heart Two conditions of blessedness: to have God as your strength and to have in your heart His ways. Too many hearts are full of cliffs and precipices, but they need leveling, so that there should be a highway for God (Isaiah 40:3-4).

Psalms 84:6. The valley of Baca is the valley of tears. Some speak of it as the valley of tear-shrubs. But there the righteous will find wells of salvation. If you are now in the valley of tears, be sure you are on the way to the city and look out for the wells.

Psalms 84:10. A doorkeeper in God’s house Better be Lazarus at the threshold of God’s house, than Dives in his palace.

Psalms 84:11. A Sun and Shield A Sun in dark hours and a Shade in scorching ones. Grace is the bud of glory. Glory is the flower of grace. If God has given the first, He will give the second. If He withholds aught on which you have set your heart, believe it is not really good and still trust Him. We stand in grace and look for glory (Romans 5:1-2).