Psalm 84 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

84:1

Psalm 84:1-12. (See on Psalm 8:1, title, and see on Psalm 42:1, title). The writer describes the desirableness of God‘s worship and prays for a restoration to its privileges.

amiable — not lovely, but beloved.

tabernacles — (Psalm 43:3).

84:2

longeth — most intensely (Genesis 31:30; Psalm 17:12).

fainteth — exhausted with desire.

courts — as tabernacles (Psalm 84:1) - the whole building.

crieth out — literally, “sings for joy”; but here, and Lamentations 2:19, expresses an act of sorrow as the corresponding noun (Psalm 17:1; Psalm 61:2).

heart and flesh — as in Psalm 63:1.

84:3

thine altars — that is, of burnt offering and incense, used for the whole tabernacle. Its structure afforded facilities for sparrows and swallows to indulge their known predilections for such places. Some understand the statement as to the birds as a comparison: “as they find homes, so do I desire thine altars,” etc.

84:4

This view is favored by the language here, which, as in Psalm 15:1; Psalm 23:6, recognizes the blessing of membership in God‘s family by terms denoting a dwelling in His house.

84:5

(Compare Psalm 68:28).

in whose heart the ways — that is, who knows and loves the way to God‘s favor (Proverbs 16:17; Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 40:4).

84:6

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” (Psalm 36:8; Psalm 46:4).

84:7

The figure of the pilgrim is carried out. As such daily refit their bodily strength till they reach Jerusalem, so the spiritual worshipper is daily supplied with spiritual strength by God‘s grace till he appears before God in heaven.

appeareth God — the terms of the requisition for the attendance on the feasts (compare Deuteronomy 16:16),

84:9

God is addressed as a shield (compare Psalm 84:11).

thine anointed — David (1 Samuel 16:12).

84:10

I had doorkeeper — literally, “I choose to sit on the threshold,” the meanest place.

84:11-12

As a sun God enlightens (Psalm 27:1); as a shield He protects.

grace — God‘s favor, its fruit -

glory — the honor He bestows.

uprightly — (Psalm 15:2; Psalm 18:23).

84:12

that trusteth — constantly.