Psalms 84

Psalm 84 expresses the psalmist's profound longing for God's dwelling place, declaring the tabernacles of the LORD of hosts to be amiable. It blesses those who reside in God's house and those whose strength is found in Him, journeying to Zion with increasing vigor. The psalmist proclaims that a single day in God's courts is superior to a thousand elsewhere, preferring even a humble role there over a life of wickedness. The psalm concludes by affirming God as a sun and shield, bestowing grace and glory upon the upright, and blessing those who trust in Him.

Psalm 84 opens with an fervent expression of the psalmist's deep affection and yearning for the tabernacles of the LORD of hosts, so much so that his soul faints for God's courts. He notes that even birds find a home near God's altars, emphasizing the peace and security found there. The psalm pronounces blessings upon those who dwell in God's house, continually offering praise, and upon those whose strength is in the LORD as they journey towards Zion. These pilgrims, even when passing through difficult valleys, find refreshment and grow in strength, ultimately appearing before God. The psalmist then offers a prayer, asking God to hear and look upon His anointed. He declares that a single day spent in God's courts surpasses a thousand elsewhere, expressing a preference for the humblest position in God's house over dwelling in the tents of wickedness. The LORD God is depicted as a sun and shield, a giver of grace and glory who withholds no good thing from the upright. The psalm concludes by reiterating the blessedness of those who trust in the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 84, addressed to the chief Musician upon Gittith for the sons of Korah, begins with an impassioned declaration of the psalmist's deep love and longing for the tabernacles of the LORD of hosts, describing them as "amiable." The psalmist's soul yearns and even faints for the courts of the LORD, with his heart and flesh crying out for the living God. This profound desire is further illustrated by the observation that even sparrows and swallows find a home and a place to raise their young near God's altars, highlighting the sanctuary and peace found in His presence. The psalm then pronounces a blessing upon those who dwell in God's house, stating that they will be continually praising Him. A further blessing is extended to the man whose strength is in the LORD, whose heart is set on the ways of God. These individuals, as they journey towards Zion, are depicted as transforming the challenging "valley of Baca" into a well, with rain filling the pools, signifying spiritual refreshment and resilience in adversity. They are said to go "from strength to strength," with each one appearing before God in Zion. The psalmist then intercedes with a prayer, asking the LORD God of hosts to hear his petition and to look upon the face of His anointed, acknowledging God as a shield. A powerful statement is made regarding the value of God's presence, asserting that a single day in His courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. The psalmist expresses a profound preference to be a doorkeeper in the house of his God rather than to dwell in the tents of wickedness, emphasizing the spiritual superiority of even the humblest service to God over worldly comfort. The LORD God is magnificently described as both a sun, providing light and warmth, and a shield, offering protection. He is further affirmed as the giver of grace and glory, promising to withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. The psalm culminates in a final declaration of blessedness for the man who trusts in the LORD of hosts, underscoring the central theme of faith and reliance on God.