Scriptural text: Psalm 84
For God’s Presence (Psalm 84:1-3).
The psalmist longs for communion with God. “How amiable are thy tabernacles” In this plural noun, he appears to include all the places in or near the temple where acts of Divine worship were performed. The holy of holies, the holy place, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offerings, all called here God’s tabernacles or dwelling – places; or wherever God was worshipped, there He was supposed to dwell.
“My soul longeth” – It is a Levite who speaks, who ardently longs to regain his place in the temple, and his part in the sacred services. “My heart and my flesh” – All the desires of my soul and my body; every appetites and wish; both animal and spiritual, long for thy service.
“Yea, the sparrow hath found a house” My heart crieth out for the living God; for thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Even as the sparrow finds (seeks) a house, and the swallow her nest in which she may hatch her young; so I, thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
In God’s Presence: Constant Praise (Psalm 84:4).
“Blessed are they that dwell in thy house” They who have a constant habitation in thy temple as the sparrow or the swallow has in the house wherein it has built its nest. “They will still be praising thee.” They will find it good to draw nigh unto God, as he always pours out his Spirit on his sincere worshippers.
Continuing Strength (vv 5-7).
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” All those who find their strength in the Lord are focused on His ways, on doing what is right in His sight as they journey through life. “Who passest through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.” Theologians think this is a figurative description of the spiritual dryness that is relieved by arriving at the Lord’s house. There is no place in Scripture called the valley of Baca in Israel. “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” They proceed from one degree of grace to another, gaining Divine virtue through all the steps of probation. “Everyone of them in Zion appeareth before God” “The God of gods shall be seen in Zion.” God shall appear in their behalf, as often as they shall seek him; in consequence of which they shall increase in their spiritual strength.
Closing Appeal: For self (v. 8).
“Hear my prayer“”O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob, Selah.” Let us be restored to thy sanctuary, and to thy worship.
“Behold, O God, our shield” – We have no Protector but thee. “A day in thy courts is better than a thousand.” – Not only better than one thousand in captivity, as the Chaldee states, but any where else. For in God’s courts we meet with God the King, and are sure to have what petitions we offer unto him through his Christ.
References: Adame Clark Commentary, 2021-2022 International Sunday School Lessons