Psalms — Chapter 84
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1How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3Yea, 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.
4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10For 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.
11For 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.
12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
1How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts!
2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Jehovah; My heart and my flesh cry out unto the living God.
3Yea, the sparrow hath found her a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even thine altars, O Jehovah of hosts, My King, and my God.
4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: They will be still praising thee. Selah
5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; In whose heart are the highways [to Zion].
6Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings.
7They go from strength to strength; Every one of them appeareth before God in Zion.
8O Jehovah God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah
9Behold, O God our shield, And look upon the face of thine anointed.
10For 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.
11For Jehovah God is a sun and a shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12O Jehovah of hosts, Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Psalm 85 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1For the music director, according to the gittith style; written by the Korahites, a psalm. How lovely is the place where you live, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
2I desperately want to be in the courts of the Lord’s temple. My heart and my entire being shout for joy to the living God.
3Even the birds find a home there, and the swallow builds a nest where she can protect her young near your altars, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God.
4How blessed are those who live in your temple and praise you continually. (Selah)
5How blessed are those who find their strength in you and long to travel the roads that lead to your temple.
6As they pass through the Baca Valley, he provides a spring for them. The rain even covers it with pools of water.
7They are sustained as they travel along; each one appears before God in Zion.
8O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. (Selah)
9O God, take notice of our shield. Show concern for your chosen king.
10Certainly spending just one day in your temple courts is better than spending a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at the entrance to the temple of my God than live in the tents of the wicked.
11For the Lord God is our sovereign protector. The Lord bestows favor and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity.
12O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, how blessed are those who trust in you.
1How lovely are your dwellings, Yahweh of Armies!
2My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of Yahweh. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3Yes, the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young, near your altars, Yahweh of Armies, my King, and my God.
4Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are always praising you. Selah.
5Blessed are those whose strength is in you; who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.
6Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
7They go from strength to strength. Everyone of them appears before God in Zion.
8Yahweh, God of Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, God of Jacob. Selah.
9Behold, God our shield, look at the face of your anointed.
10For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.
12Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Summary
A pilgrimage psalm of the Sons of Korah — 'How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD'; the psalmist longs for God's courts, envies the sparrow nesting near the altar; 'a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.'
Authorship & Background
- Longing for God's Courts (vv.1-4)
- The Blessed Pilgrims (vv.5-7)
- Prayer for the King (vv.8-9)
- One Day in God's Courts (vv.10-12)
Map & Geography
- Zion (v.7): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.
Reflection
- 1. Long for God's presence with your whole being (v.2). Soul, heart, flesh — let every part of you reach for God. Worship is not just spiritual — your body, your emotions, your will should all strain toward Him.
- 2. Faith transforms deserts into springs (v.6). Whatever "Valley of Baca" you're passing through, faith can make it a well. Tears can become the water that refreshes you and others. Don't waste your valleys.
- 3. One day with God outweighs everything (v.10). Recalibrate your values. The lowest place in God's presence is better than the highest place outside it. Choose proximity over promotion.
- 4. God withholds no good thing from the upright (v.11). If He hasn't given it to you, either it's not good, it's not time, or your walk needs adjustment. Trust His withholding as much as His giving — both are love.
- 5. The journey goes from strength to strength (v.7). God's path doesn't exhaust you — it empowers you. If your spiritual life feels depleting, check your direction. The right path adds strength at every stage.