How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
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.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
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.
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.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalms 84, attributed to the Sons of Korah, is a beautiful expression of longing for God's presence, specifically within the context of the temple in Jerusalem. Understanding its context enriches our appreciation of its message. The Sons of Korah were a Levitical group responsible for temple music (2_Chronicles 20:19), and this psalm may have been composed for their use or in their characteristic style. The psalm likely functioned as a pilgrimage song, sung by those traveling to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16), filled with anticipation and joy. The term "Gittith" in the superscription is debated, possibly referring to a musical instrument, a style of music, or even a type of winepress song. Other Psalms attributed to the Sons of Korah include Psalms 42, 44-49, 85, and 87-88.
The Temple as the Heart's True Home (84:1-4)
The psalm opens with an exclamation of love and longing for the dwelling place of God: "How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!" (Psalms 84:1). The psalmist's soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD. This isn't just a desire for a physical location, but a deep, soul-level hunger for God's presence. The psalmist refers to God as “LORD of hosts” (Psalms 84:1,3), emphasizing God’s power and authority as commander of heavenly armies.
The image of birds nesting near the altar (Psalms 84:3) is particularly poignant. These birds, finding a safe and secure haven near God's altar, illustrate the psalmist's own desire to dwell perpetually in God's presence. It speaks of security, peace, and a profound sense of belonging that only God can provide. To dwell in God's house is to dwell in safety and be close to the source of life. The ultimate desire of those who love God should be to be in His presence.
Strength on the Journey (84:5-7)
The psalm shifts to celebrate those who find their strength in God: "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage" (Psalms 84:5). These pilgrims, journeying towards Jerusalem, find their energy renewed by God Himself. Their spiritual batteries are recharged. Even the difficult stretches of the journey – passing through the "Valley of Baka" (Psalms 84:6), often interpreted as a dry or weeping valley – are transformed into a place of springs. God turns hardship into blessing for those who trust in Him. They go from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). This speaks to the transformative power of seeking God, where even trials become opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on Him. Prioritizing God’s presence through His Word is a means of finding spiritual refreshment and vigor.
Better is One Day (84:8-10)
The psalmist then expresses a heartfelt plea: "Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob" (Psalms 84:8). This is followed by an affirmation of the incomparable value of being in God's presence: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere" (Psalms 84:10). The psalmist would rather be a doorkeeper (or stand at the threshold) in the house of God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. This highlights the immense joy and satisfaction found in serving God, even in the most humble capacity. The psalmist prays for God's favor on the anointed one, the king who leads his people (Psalms 84:9). The psalmist would rather be found serving God than serving self. Those who have tasted the goodness of God know this to be true.
Favor and Protection (84:11-12)
The psalm concludes with a declaration of God's goodness and faithfulness: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalms 84:11). God provides both provision and protection. He is a source of light, warmth, and life ("sun") and a defender against harm ("shield"). Those who live with integrity will experience God's blessings. The psalm ends with a statement of trust: "LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you" (Psalms 84:12). Looking forward to the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the psalmist anticipates gathering with God's people to enjoy His presence (Psalms 84:1-2, 4, 7, 10).
Today, we have the privilege of experiencing God's presence through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, making us God's temple, both individually and collectively (Romans 8:9; 1_Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:21). His presence enables us to experience His provision and protection in our lives. The longing expressed in Psalms 84 is a timeless invitation to seek God's presence above all else, knowing that in Him, we find true joy, strength, and security. The Lord’s favor and honor are available to those who live with integrity.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
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.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
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.
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.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalms 84, attributed to the Sons of Korah, is a beautiful expression of longing for God's presence, specifically within the context of the temple in Jerusalem. Understanding its context enriches our appreciation of its message. The Sons of Korah were a Levitical group responsible for temple music (2_Chronicles 20:19), and this psalm may have been composed for their use or in their characteristic style. The psalm likely functioned as a pilgrimage song, sung by those traveling to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16), filled with anticipation and joy. The term "Gittith" in the superscription is debated, possibly referring to a musical instrument, a style of music, or even a type of winepress song. Other Psalms attributed to the Sons of Korah include Psalms 42, 44-49, 85, and 87-88.
The Temple as the Heart's True Home (84:1-4)
The psalm opens with an exclamation of love and longing for the dwelling place of God: "How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!" (Psalms 84:1). The psalmist's soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD. This isn't just a desire for a physical location, but a deep, soul-level hunger for God's presence. The psalmist refers to God as “LORD of hosts” (Psalms 84:1,3), emphasizing God’s power and authority as commander of heavenly armies.
The image of birds nesting near the altar (Psalms 84:3) is particularly poignant. These birds, finding a safe and secure haven near God's altar, illustrate the psalmist's own desire to dwell perpetually in God's presence. It speaks of security, peace, and a profound sense of belonging that only God can provide. To dwell in God's house is to dwell in safety and be close to the source of life. The ultimate desire of those who love God should be to be in His presence.
Strength on the Journey (84:5-7)
The psalm shifts to celebrate those who find their strength in God: "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage" (Psalms 84:5). These pilgrims, journeying towards Jerusalem, find their energy renewed by God Himself. Their spiritual batteries are recharged. Even the difficult stretches of the journey – passing through the "Valley of Baka" (Psalms 84:6), often interpreted as a dry or weeping valley – are transformed into a place of springs. God turns hardship into blessing for those who trust in Him. They go from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). This speaks to the transformative power of seeking God, where even trials become opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on Him. Prioritizing God’s presence through His Word is a means of finding spiritual refreshment and vigor.
Better is One Day (84:8-10)
The psalmist then expresses a heartfelt plea: "Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob" (Psalms 84:8). This is followed by an affirmation of the incomparable value of being in God's presence: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere" (Psalms 84:10). The psalmist would rather be a doorkeeper (or stand at the threshold) in the house of God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. This highlights the immense joy and satisfaction found in serving God, even in the most humble capacity. The psalmist prays for God's favor on the anointed one, the king who leads his people (Psalms 84:9). The psalmist would rather be found serving God than serving self. Those who have tasted the goodness of God know this to be true.
Favor and Protection (84:11-12)
The psalm concludes with a declaration of God's goodness and faithfulness: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalms 84:11). God provides both provision and protection. He is a source of light, warmth, and life ("sun") and a defender against harm ("shield"). Those who live with integrity will experience God's blessings. The psalm ends with a statement of trust: "LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you" (Psalms 84:12). Looking forward to the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the psalmist anticipates gathering with God's people to enjoy His presence (Psalms 84:1-2, 4, 7, 10).
Today, we have the privilege of experiencing God's presence through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, making us God's temple, both individually and collectively (Romans 8:9; 1_Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:21). His presence enables us to experience His provision and protection in our lives. The longing expressed in Psalms 84 is a timeless invitation to seek God's presence above all else, knowing that in Him, we find true joy, strength, and security. The Lord’s favor and honor are available to those who live with integrity.