Psalm Eighty Four

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

Psalm 84:1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

thy tabernacles. The plural here possibly refers to the different places where the tabernacle had been pitched during Israel's earlier history but, more likely, refers to the different rooms in the Solomonic temple.

Psalm 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Psalm 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

Psalm 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah

Psalm 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

ways of them. This could be read “thy ways.”

Psalm 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

valley of Baca. “Baca” means “weeping.” It also was the name for balsam trees growing in arid valleys.

Psalm 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

strength to strength. Compare 2 Corinthians 3:18 (“glory to glory,” see note) and John 1:16 (“grace for grace”).

Psalm 84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah

Psalm 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

thine anointed. “Anointed” is Messiah.

Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

sun and shield. The Lord God is both provision and protection; giving grace and glory as well as strength (see note above on Psalm 84:7) to those who walk uprightly. As our “sun,” the Lord provides all needed power, sustenance and guidance for our lives (Genesis 1:17; John 8:12). As our shield, He provides protection from all evil and danger (Psalm 115:11; Proverbs 30:5; Ephesians 6:16).

Psalm 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.