King James Version
Psalms 84
12 verses with commentary
How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! for the sons: or, of the sons
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!</strong> This exclamation opens one of Scripture's most beloved psalms, expressing profound longing for God's presence in His sanctuary. The Hebrew <em>mah-yedidot</em> (מַה־יְּדִידוֹת) means "how lovely, how beloved, how pleasant"—conveying deep affection and emotional attachment. The plural "tabernacles" (<em>mishkenotekha</em>, מִשְׁכְּנ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **How amiable.**—Better, *How loved and how lovable. *The Hebrew word combines both senses.
**Tabernacles.**—Better, perhaps, *dwellings. *(Comp. Psalm 43:3.) The plural is used poetically, therefore we need not think of the various courts of the Temple.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. God reconciled, material sacrifices will be acceptable (Psa 4:5; compare Is 1:11-17).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.</strong> This verse intensifies the opening exclamation, describing physical and spiritual yearning for God's presence. The Hebrew <em>nikhsephah vegam-kaletah naphshi</em> (נִכְסְפָה וְגַם־כָּלְתָה נַפְשִׁי) uses two strong verbs: <em>kasaph</em> (כָּסַף, "to long for, to y...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Longeth.**—From root meaning to *grow pale, *expressing one effect of strong emotion—*grows pale with longing. *So the Latin poets used *pallidus *to express the effects of passionate love, and generally of any strong emotion:
“Ambitione mala aut argenti pallet amore.”
HOR., *Sat. ii.* 3, 78.
Or we may perhaps compare Shakespeare’s
“Sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought.”
For a similar...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This tender image contrasts small, seemingly insignificant birds with the majesty of God's sanctuary. <strong>"Sparrow"</strong> (צִפּוֹר/<em>tsippor</em>) and <strong>"swallow"</strong> (דְּרוֹר/<em>deror</em>) represent h...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Sparrow.**—Heb., *tsippôr, *which is found up-wards of forty times in the Old Testament, and is evidently used in a very general way to include a great number of small birds. “Our common house- sparrow is found on the coast in the towns, and inland its place is taken by a very closely-allied species, *Passer Cisalpina*” (Tristram, *Nat. Hist. of the Bible, *p. 202).
**Swallow.**—Heb. *derôr,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 52 Psa 52:1-9. Compare 1Sa 21:1-10; 22:1-10, for the history of the title. Psa 52:1 gives the theme; the boast of the wicked over the righteous is vain, for God constantly cares for His people. This is expanded by describing the malice and deceit, and then the ruin, of the wicked, and the happy state of the pious.
**1. mighty man--**literally, "hero." Doeg may be thus addressed, ironically,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.</strong> This beatitude pronounces blessing on those who enjoy continual proximity to God's presence. The Hebrew <em>ashrei</em> (אַשְׁרֵי, "blessed, happy") opens multiple psalms (1:1, 32:1-2, 34:8, 40:4, 41:1), declaring the happiness that comes from right relationship with God. The blessing here falls on ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. tongue--**for self.
**mischiefs--**evil to others (Psa 5:9; 38:12).
**working deceitfully--**(Psa 10:7), as a keen, smoothly moving razor, cutting quietly, but deeply.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.</strong> This second beatitude pronounces blessing on those whose source of strength is God rather than self or circumstances. The Hebrew <em>adam</em> (אָדָם, "man") is generic, referring to humanity generally—this blessing is available to all who meet the condition. "Whose strength is in thee" (<em>oz lo b...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5-7) In these verses, as in the analogous picture (Isaiah 35:6-8; comp. Hosea 2:15-16), there is a blending of the real and the figurative; the *actual *journey towards Sion is represented as accompanied with ideal blessings of peace and refreshment. It is improbable that the poet would turn abruptly from the description of the swallows in the Temple to what looks like a description of a real jou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. Baca: or, mulberry trees make him a well, etc filleth: Heb. covereth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.</strong> This enigmatic verse depicts pilgrims transforming barren terrain through faith and divine blessing. <strong>"Valley of Baca"</strong> (עֵמֶק הַבָּכָא/<em>emek habaka</em>) can mean "valley of weeping" or "valley of balsam trees." Either reading yields profound meaning: a place of sorrow transf...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Who passing through the valley of Baca.**—All the ancient versions have “valley of weeping,” which, through the Vulg. *vallis lacrymosa, *has passed into the religious language of Europe as a synonym for life. And *Baca *(*bākha*) seems to have this signification, whatever origin we give the word. The valley has been variously identified—with the valley of *Achor *(Hosea 2:15; Joshua 7:24); ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. all-devouring--**literally, "swallowing," which utterly destroy (compare Psa 21:9; 35:25).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. strength to: or, company to company
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.</strong> The pilgrimage reaches its climax: sustained divine strength culminating in God's presence. <strong>"From strength to strength"</strong> (מֵחַיִל אֶל־חָיִל/<em>mechayil el-chayil</em>) describes increasing rather than depleting vigor. <em>Chayil</em> denotes strength, might, efficiency, wealth, or a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **They go from strength to strength**—*i.e., *each difficulty surmounted adds fresh courage and vigour.
“And he who flagg’d not in the earthly strife,
From strength to strength advancing, only he
His soul well knit, and all his battles won,
Mounts, and that hardly, to eternal life.”
MATTHEW ARNOLD.
The marginal “from company to company” follows the alternative meaning of the Hebrew word, and s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. likewise--**or, "so," "also," as you have done to others God will do to you (Psa 18:27). The following terms describe the most entire ruin.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 84
Chapter Outline
The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God.(1-7)
His desire towards the God of the ordinances.(8-12)
**Verses 1-7**
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 the...
Read full commentary →O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.</strong> The psalmist's plea interrupts the celebratory pilgrimage narrative with urgent petition. This shift from descriptive praise to direct address reflects the pattern of biblical prayer: recounting God's faithfulness grounds present petition. <strong>"Hear my prayer"</strong> (שִׁמְעָה תְפִלָּתִי/<em>shim'ah tefill...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. shall ... fear--**regard with religious awe.
**laugh at him--**for his folly;
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-12**
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 elsewh...
Read full commentary →Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.</strong> The petition's content emerges: intercession for the king, God's anointed representative. <strong>"Behold"</strong> (רְאֵה/<em>re'eh</em>) is imperative, asking God to see and consider. <strong>"O God our shield"</strong> (אֱלֹהִים מָגִנֵּנוּ/<em>Elohim maginnenu</em>) identifies God as protector, the defensive co...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Shield . . .** . **anointed.**—These are here in direct parallelism. So in Psalm 89:18. (See Note, and comp. Psalm 47:9, Note.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. for trusting in riches and being strong in "wickedness."
**wickedness--**literally, "mischief" (Psa 52:2), instead of trusting in God.
**the man--**literally, "the mighty man," or "hero" (Psa 52:1).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-12**
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 elsewh...
Read full commentary →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. I had: Heb. I would choose rather to sit at the threshold
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This famous declaration expresses radical reorientation of values—one day in God's presence outweighs a thousand days elsewhere. The Hebrew <em>yom be-chatzerkha</em> (יוֹם בַּחֲצֵרֶיךָ) means literally "a day in your courts." The compar...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **I had rather be a doorkeeper.**—Better, *I had rather wait on the threshold, *as not worthy (LXX. and Vulgate, “be rejected in scorn”) to enter the precincts. The idea of “doorkeeper,” however, though not necessarily involved in the Hebrew word, is suggested in a Korahite psalm, since the Korahites were “keepers of the gates of the tabernacle, and keepers of the entry.” Compare with this wi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. The figure used is common (Psa 1:3; Jr 11:16).
**green--**fresh.
**house, &c.--**in communion with God (compare Psa 27:4, 5).
**for ever and ever--**qualifies "mercy."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-12**
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 elsewh...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> This verse provides theological foundation for the psalm's confident trust, listing four aspects of God's character and provision. First, "the LORD God is a sun" (<em>Yahweh Elohim shemesh</em>, יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים שֶׁמֶשׁ) presents God as source of l...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. hast done--**that is, what the context supplies, "preserved me" (compare Psa 22:31).
**wait ... name--**hope in Thy perfections, manifested for my good (Psa 5:11; 20:1).
**for it is good--**that is, Thy name, and the whole method or result of its manifestation (Psa 54:6; 69:16).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-12**
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 elsewh...
Read full commentary →O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.</strong> This concluding benediction summarizes the psalm's theme: true happiness belongs to those who trust God. The address "O LORD of hosts" (<em>Yahweh Tzeva'ot</em>, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) frames the psalm (appearing in v. 1, 3, 8, and 12), emphasizing God's sovereign power as commander of heavenly armies. This powerful title assure...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-12**
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 elsewh...
Read full commentary →