Psalms84

English Standard Version

TranslationKJV WEB ASV ESV NIV NASB NKJV NLT

¹To the : to The . A of the of . How is your , O Lord of !

²My , , for the of the Lord; my and to the .

³ the a , and the a for herself, where she may her , at your , O Lord of , my and my .

⁴ are those who in your , singing your !

⁵ whose is in you, in whose are the to Zion.

⁶As they through the of they it a place of ; the it with .

⁷They to ; each one before in .

⁸O Lord of , my ; , O of !

⁹ our , O ; on the of your !

¹⁰ a in your is a elsewhere. I would be a in the of my in the of .

¹¹ the Lord is a and ; the Lord and . thing does he from those who .

¹²O Lord of , is the who in you!

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 84.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God. (1–7). His desire towards the God of the ordinances. (8–12).

vv1-7

The ordinances of God are the believer's solace in this evil world; in them he enjoys the presence of the living God: this causes him to regret his absence from them. They are to his soul as the nest to the bird. Yet they are only an earnest of the happiness of heaven; but how can men desire to enter that holy habitation, who complain of Divine ordinances as wearisome? Those are truly happy, who go forth, and go on in the exercise of religion, in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, from whom all our sufficiency is. The pilgrims to the heavenly city may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; but wells of salvation shall be opened for them, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course, shall find God add grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace, shall be perfect in glory.

vv8-12

In all our addresses to God, we must desire that he would look on Christ, his Anointed One, and accept us for his sake: we must look to Him with faith, and then God will with favour look upon the face of the Anointed: we, without him, dare not show our faces. The psalmist pleads love to God's ordinances. Let us account one day in God's courts better than a thousand spent elsewhere; and deem the meanest place in his service preferable to the highest earthly preferment. We are here in darkness, but if God be our God, he will be to us a Sun, to enlighten and enliven us, to guide and direct us. We are here in danger, but he will be to us a Shield, to secure us from the fiery darts that fly thick about us. Through he has not promised to give riches and dignities, he has promised to give grace and glory to all that seek them in his appointed way. And what is grace, but heaven begun below, in the knowledge, love, and service of God? What is glory, but the completion of this happiness, in being made like to him, and in fully enjoying him for ever? Let it be our care to walk uprightly, and then let us trust God to give us every thing that is good for us. If we cannot go to the house of the Lord, we may go by faith to the Lord of the house; in him we shall be happy, and may be easy. That man is really happy, whatever his outward circumstances may be, who trusts in the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob.

Key Words

choirmasterH5329Hebrew

נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent

accordingH5921Hebrew

עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

GittithH1665Hebrew

גִּתִּית: a Gittite harp

PsalmH4210Hebrew

מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes

SonsH1121Hebrew

בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

KorahH7141Hebrew

קֹרַח: Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites

lovelyH3039Hebrew

יְדִיד: loved

dwelling placeH4908Hebrew

מִשְׁכָּן: a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls)

hostsH6635Hebrew

צָבָא: a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)

soulH5315Hebrew

נֶפֶשׁ: properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)