Psalm 84 Study Notes

Ps 84 title On Gittith, see note at Ps 8 title. On sons of Korah, see note at Ps 42 title.

84:1 Believers love to be near their God. Dwelling place is literally “tabernacles,” which is a plural of amplification: the great tabernacle (Allen P. Ross).

84:2 The courts refers to the outer precincts of the temple where worshipers gathered.

84:3 How fortunate are the birds who may build their nests above the altars. How much more fortunate are the priests who can live at the temple (v. 4).

84:4-5 On happy, see note at 1:1. These verses mirror the structure of the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12), setting forth some of the conditions of happiness. Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage is literally “the highways are on their hearts.” This describes the minds of the godly, their thoughts focused on the ascent to Zion.

84:6-7 The Valley of Baca derives from the Hebrew term baka’, “to weep.” The joyful tears of the pilgrims transformed the source of sadness and grief into a spring of blessing, just as the early rains of autumn restored water to the valley.

84:8-9 God as a shield is a metaphorical reference to the protection provided by the king for his people.

84:10-12 Because only God’s favor makes a person truly happy, the psalmist would rather stand outside at the entrance to the temple without shelter than to live in comfort among the wicked.