Psalms 84
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How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
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.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
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.
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.
12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 84:1-12
My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
5Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
8O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
10For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 84:1-12
Psalm 84
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
2My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
4Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
5Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11For 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.
12Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Psalm 84 describes the writer's expressions of joy that he experienced with the Lord and how he felt drawn to God’s dwelling places. He states how blessed are those who have God as their strength and put their trust in the Lord. David concluded by explaining why: “For the Lord God is a sun and a shield” (verse 11). This statement is loaded with meaning so let’s unpack it.
What does it mean that God is our sun? Using nature to add nuance, this is what I think it means:
● Just as the sun is our only star in our solar system, so Jesus is our morning star (Revelation 22:16) who guides us home.
● Just as all life receives light, heat and energy from the sun to live, so it is only through God and His sustaining influence that we can live.
● Just as the sun and its sunlight produce vitamin D and serotonin in humans, which boost our mood and energy, so God’s presence in our lives boosts our mood and gives us energy to overcome sin.
● Just as the sun’s gravity holds our solar system together, so God holds our world together.
Laura Hamilton
Retired chemical engineer, Colorado, USA (as of this writing)
