PSALM LXXXIV _The psalmist longs for communion with God in the sanctuary_, 1-3. _The blessedness of those who enjoy God's ordinances_, 4-7. _With confidence in God, he prays for restoration to his house_ _and worship_, 8-12. NOTES ON PSALM LXXXIV The _title_ here is the same as that of Psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:2. _MY SOUL LONGETH_] It is a Levite that 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 _body_; every _appetite_ and _wish_, both _animal_ and _spiritual_, long for thy ser... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:3. _YEA, THE SPARROW HATH FOUND A HOUSE_] It is very unlikely that sparrows and swallows, or birds of any kind, should be permitted to build their nests, and hatch their young, in or about altars which were kept in a state of the _greatest purity_; and where _perpetual fires_ were k... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:4. _BLESSED_ ARE _THEY THAT DWELL IN THY HOUSE_] They who have such a constant habitation in thy temple as the sparrow or the swallow has in the house wherein it has built its nest. _THEY WILL BE STILL PRAISING THEE._] They will find it good to draw nigh unto God, as he always pours... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:5. _THE MAN WHOSE STRENGTH_ IS _IN THEE_] "Who life and strength from thee derives; And by thee moves and in thee lives." _IN WHOSE HEART_ ARE _THE WAYS OF THEM_] This is no sense. The original, however, is obscure: מסלות בלבבם _mesilloth bilebabam_, "the high ways are in their he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:6. _PASSING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BACA MAKE IT A WELL_] Instead of _bacha_, a _mulberry-tree, seven_ MSS. have בכה _becheh, mourning_. I believe _Baca_ to be the same here as _Bochim_, Judges 2:1, called _The Valley of Weeping_. Though they pass through this barren and desert place,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:7. _THEY GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH_] They proceed from one degree of grace to another, gaining Divine virtue through all the steps of their probation. EVERY ONE OF THEM _IN ZION APPEARETH BEFORE GOD._] This is a paraphrase, and a bad one, but no translation. They shall proceed fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:8. _HEAR MY PRAYER_] Let us be restored to thy sanctuary, and to thy worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:9. _BEHOLD, O GOD, OUR SHIELD_] We have no Protector but thee. Thou seest the deadly blows that are aimed at us; cover our souls; protect our lives! _LOOK UPON THE FACE OF THINE ANOINTED._] Consider the supplications sent up by him whom thou hast appointed to be Mediator between the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:10. _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. _I HAD RAT... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 84:11. _FOR THE LORD GOD_ IS _A SUN AND SHIELD_] To _illuminate,_ _invigorate_, and _warm_; to _protect_ and _defend_ all such as prefer him and his worship to every thing the earth can produce. It is remarkable that not one of the _Versions_ understand the שמש _shemesh_, as signifyin... [ Continue Reading ]