Psalms 84

A Psalm of David. In this Psalm (which is composed so artificially, that the order of the letters of the alphabet is observed, in the first letter of every other verse) David seems to intend to prevent the scandal which some might take when they saw the wicked in prosperity, and the godly under afflic- * tion (as they did sometimes); quite contrary to the law, which promised all good things to those that kept it, and, threatened all evil to those that broke it. He bids. them be patient, and stay awhile; and they should see both verified. For the prosperity of the wicked shall be short (a^he over and over again bids them consider): and the “just, if they would but wait awhile, should see themselves. not only delivered out of trouble, but made very flourishing. And therefore he advises, in the first place, that no man by any means suffer himself to bo tempted, by the splendid condition of the wicked, to imitate them in their ungodly courses; but to stick close to the principles of piety and virtue, trusting in God, and committing himself to him; who will give great satisfaction to such honest men, in what they have at present, though never so little; and, at last, put them in possession of all that their hearts can desire. And, to preserve themselves in this pious temper, he shews nothing could he more available.than meekness and humility (which procure us, as Theodoret here notes, abundance of good things), and to reflect on the lamentable end of the proud and haughty, who take unjust courses (as was apparent in what befel Saul and Absalom, and such-like persons). Which sufficiently admonishes all men to bear their present troubles decently and well: and not to envy the prosperous successes of the wicked, nor to call them blessed: but rather account them unhappy and miserable. The son of Sirach seems to have summed up this Psalm in those few words, (Ecclus. i. 23, &c.) *’ A patient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom; and faith and meekness are his delight.” To the chief Musician ttpon Gittith. A Psalm for the Sons ofKorah. It is uncertain to what times this Psalm belongs: they ( seem to have most reason on their side, who think it.^va3 composed upon the same occasion with the fortysecond and forty-third, when David, forced from Jerusalem by the rebellion of his “son’ Absalom, most passionately longed to be restored to the place of God’s worship. But it may as well, or better, in my judgment, t be thought to have been composed by some pious Levite in the country, when Sennacherib’s army had blocked up.the way to Jerusalem, and hindered them from waiting upon the service of God at the temple: where he judged the lowest ministry, that of a porter (as we read ver. 10.) to be Jar.more honourable than the highest preferment among pagan nations. And thus I shall take the liberty to expound it in my Paraphrase: pointing the reader to such places in the history of that sad time, as I think will explain some passages of this Psalm: which, after, their freedom was restored, by the destruction of Scnuachcrib’s array, the author of it delivered to the master of; music in the tejnpje, to.be sung as the -eighth Psalm. (See there.)'

Psalms 84:1

JT RET not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Let it not vex thee to see the evil-doers in great prosperity: nor be provoked thereby either to accuse God’s providence, or to think the worse of virtue; or to imitate them in their wickedness; or to wish thyself to be what they are. JUoW amiable art ihy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!] It is impossible to express tho affection I have to thy dwelling-place, O Lord; who art attended there by the ministry of the heavenly host, (Isa. xxxvii. 1G.) and nccdcst none of our services.

Psalms 84:2

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. For this^prosperity, which thou art apt to look upon with admiration, envy, or anger, is so far from lasting always, that it is but of short continuance: they shall be cut down on a sudden, as the grass is by the hand of the mower, when it is most flourishing; ox they shall fade away as the green herb doth, which in a little time withers, and of itself falls to decay. My sonllongeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.] But we cannot live with any satisfaction, while wc are absent from thee; for I am ready to faint away in ardent longings to tread again in the courts of the Lord’s house: where my tongue and my hands, as well as my inind, would gladly be employed in the praises of our God; who in this excels all other, (2 Kings xix. 4. 1G. 18.) that he lives for ever.

Psalms 84:3

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt tJ*ou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. If you would have a firm and stable happiness, confide in God (and not in riches, shouldest thou have them in the greatest abundance), doing all the good thou art able in that condition wherein his providence hath placed thee: so shalt thou be settled in the good land God hath given ns (when the wicked are cut off from it), and shalt enjoy securely all those blessings which he, according to his faithful promise, will provide for thee. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.] It grieves me, O mighty Lord of all the heavenly hosts, whose subject I am, and infinitely engaged to thee, to see the very birds, who know nothing of thee, enjoy that liberty which is denied me: who am here lamenting my distance from thee, when the sparrows and the ring-doves have their constant residence at thy house; and there live so undisturbed, that they build their nests, and bring forth their young, in the rafters of it.*

Psalms 84:4

Delight thyself also in the Jjord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Be not discouraged^ therefore, nor too much dejected, if thou art for the present afflicted; but rest contented with what thou hast: or rather solace thyself in the Lord, aud take a greater delight in his promises, than the wicked can do in their present possessions; and, commending thyself unto him by constant prayer, be confident he will answer thee, according to thy heart’s desire. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selafu] O how happy are they who partake of such a privilege! who live so* near thy house, and frequent it so much, as if it w T ere their own I Their delightful employment is, with never-ceasing praises, to pay their thankful acknowledgments unto thee.

Psalms 84:5

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. When thou hast any difficult business in hand, and art doubtful of the success; or when thou knowest not what course to take, for the accomplishing of thy honest designs; leave all to the Lord, and trust to him in pious and upright courses, that he will direct and assist thee, and bring things to a good issue. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in ivhose heart are the ways of them.] And happy also is that man (how mean soever his* outward condition be) whd, relying upon thy Divine protection, (Exod. xxxiv. 24.) goes up three times a year to the solemn feast at Jerusalem: or when he is debarred that liberty, as I now am, is one of those devout persons, whose hearts are more in the highways that lead thither, than at their own homo. * Ver.G. TlHio passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.] Who travelling through the troublesome valley of Baca, where there is no water, pass it as cheerfully, as if it abounded with pleasant springs: and, depending on God, as the fountain of what they want, receive from him the blessing of plentiful and seasonable showers, to refresh them in their journey:

Psalms 84:6

. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the

Psalms 84:7

77iey go font strength to strength; every one of them, in Zion appeareth before God. So that the whole company go from stage to stage, with an unwearied vigour; till they all present themselves before God, to rex ceive his blessing in his temple, upon the hill of Zion.

Psalms 84:8

Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. mighty Lord, who commandest * all the heavenly hosts, which attend in that holy place, (and are far more numerous than the armies that invade us, 2 Chron. xxxii. 7.) make me one of that happy number; and restore me, O God, who deliveredst Jacob out of all his troubles, to the liberty of waiting upon thee there.

Psalms 84:9

Behold, O God our Shield, and look iq)on the face of tldne Anointed. Lookgraciously’upon me, God, who hast hitherto been our protector against the most: powerful enemies; and accept the prayer of our sovereign, who petitions thee still to be our defender, (2 Kings xix. 19.)

Psalms 84:10

For a day in thy courts is better than a thou*