Psalms 84:1

“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!] Which were erected in the wilderness by Moses at the command of God, and brought into the land of Canaan, where the Lord took up his dwelling: here he was worshipped, and sacrifices offered to him; here he granted his presence, and commanded his blessing; here it was in David’s time; for as yet the temple was not built: it is called “tabernacles”, in the plural number, because of its several parts: hence we read of a first and second tabernacle, (<580902>Hebrews 9:2,3), there was the holy place, and the holy of holies, besides the court of the people; unless it can be thought to refer to the tabernacle David had built for the ark in Zion,…”

“On the ground of former mercies, the Psalmist prays for renewed blessings, and, confidently expecting them, rejoices. (Psa 85:1-13) captivity--not necessarily the Babylonian, but any great evil (Psa 14:7).”

“How amiable - How much to he loved; how lovely. The word amiable is now used to denote a quality of mind or disposition - as gentle, affectionate, kind. The word used here, however in the original, means rather dear, beloved - as a token of endearment. Compare the notes at the title to Psalms 45:0. The idea here is, that the place of public worship is dear to the heart, as a beloved freind - a child - a wife - is. There is a strong and tender love for it. Are thy tabernacles - Thy dwelling-places. This word might be applied either to the tabernacle or the temple, or to any place where God was supposed to reside, or where his worship was celebrated. The plural form is used here probably…”

“Ps 84 The psalmist expresses his deep spiritual longing for God’s presence. He faints with longing as he reflects on the Temple and on pilgrims making the journey to Jerusalem (84:1-7). He prays for himself and for the community (84:8-9). The conclusion of the psalm (84:10-12) clarifies that the Temple represents God—the psalmist truly longs for God’s presence. He knows that God’s goodness is greater than life and that only God can give his people favor and honor (84:10-11). 84:1-4 The psalmist is far from the Temple. He turns toward it in hopeful reflection.”

“A Psalm: Some suppose this Psalm was composed by David when driven from Jerusalem by Absalom's rebellion, but it is more probable that it was written at the foundation of the second temple. for: or, of How: Psa 36:8, Psa 27:4, Psa 48:1, Psa 48:2, Psa 87:2, Psa 87:3, Psa 122:1; Heb 9:23, Heb 9:24; Rev 21:2, Rev 21:3, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23 O Lord: Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21; Kg1 22:19; Neh 9:6; Isa 6:2, Isa 6:3 Psalms 84:2”

“How loved and lovely (ידידות) is the sacred dwelling-place (plur. as in Psa 43:3) of the all-commanding, redemptive God, viz., His dwelling-place here below upon Zion! Thither the poet is drawn by the deeply inward yearning of love, which makes him pale (נכסף from כּסף, to grow pale, Psa 17:12) and consumes him (כּלה as in Job 19:27). His heart and flesh joyfully salute the living God dwelling there, who, as a never-failing spring, quenches the thirst of the soul ( Psa 42:3); the joy that he feels when he throws himself back in spirit into the long-denied delight takes possession even of his bodily nature, the bitter-sweet pain of longing completely fills him ( Psa 63:2). The mention of the…”