Psalms 84


Psalms 84
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN UPON GITTITH, A PSALM FOR THE SONS OF KORAH.
H.R. Hirsch Translation of above:
TO HIM WHO GRANTS VICTORY,  OVER THE WINE PRESSING,  BY THE SONS OF KORAH, A PSAL M.
 
[Psalms 84:1] HOW AMIABLE ARE THY TABERNACLES, O LORD OF HOSTS!
The place and avenues by which we can find GOD and that bring us closer to HIM should be considered "friends" of ours since they do for us more than anybody else.
<<AMIABLE>>:  Hebrew "Yedidoth" from the root "YeDiD" meaning friend, related to the name "Yedidyah" (written as "JEDIDIAH" in the KJ)  which was the name Solomon was given at birth by Nathan the Prophet though he had already been called "Solomon" by his father [2-Samuel 12:25].
Most of the Temple was built in  the area of Benjamin in  Jerusalem which was referred to in the blessing to Benjamin, " THE BELOVED OF THE LORD SHALL DWELL IN SAFETY BY HIM" [Deuteronomy 33:12].  They who trust in the Almighty are beloved as it says THAT THY BELOVED [Yedidiecha] MAY BE DELIVERED [Psalms 60:5]. The Temple itself is beloved. David conceived building the Temple, planned much of it and prepared the ground and much of the materials for it.  The name DAVID itself is derived from the root "DOD" connoting beloved. The above associations of the word "beloved" to the Temple are derived from Midrash Tehilim. "Tehilim" (literally "Praises") is the term used in Hebrew that we translate as "Psalms".
 Through love of God we bring the presence of the Almighty into the Temple of our lives and make the Almighty beloved to HIS creation.
 
[Psalms 84:2] MY SOUL LONGETH, YEA, EVEN FAINTETH FOR THE COURTS OF THE LORD: MY HEART  AND MY FLESH CRIETH OUT FOR THE LIVING GOD.
Through reading the Psalms and praying one can come closer to God.
There are places in Israel such as the Western Wall (remnant of the Holy Temple) in Jerusalem and the "Cave" of the Patriarchs in Hebron where a person may often feel the physical imminence of the Almighty.                    
 
[Psalms 84:3] YEA, 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. 
We should consdier "Israel" meaning the Peoples of Judah and Israel and the Land of Israel as well as the possessions of Joseph as our home.
   <<SPARROW>>:  In Hebrew  the word here is "tsipor" meaning bird. Isaac Mozeson pointed out that the Hebrew word "tsipor" (bird) probably did indeed give rise to the English "sparrow".              
 
[Psalms 84:4] BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DWELL IN THY HOUSE: THEY WILL BE STILL PRAISING THEE.  SELAH.
Trust in God and HE will help you.                     
 
[Psalms 84:5] BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN THEE; IN WHOSE HEART ARE THE WAYS  OF THEM.                     
 
[Psalms 84:6] WHO PASSING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BACA MAKE IT A WELL; THE RAIN ALSO FILLETH  THE POOLS.                     
<<BACA>>: In Hebrew this word means "weeping".
S. R.  Hirsch understands this whole Psalm to give expression  to someone finding the Almighty through personal suffering. It may be applied (as Hirsch suggests) on the national level giving voice to Judah in Exile or on the personal level. Someone who is sick or in trouble should have recourse to this Psalm.
 
[Psalms 84:7] THEY GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, EVERY ONE OF THEM IN ZION APPEARETH BEFORE GOD.                     
 
[Psalms 84:8] O LORD GOD OF HOSTS, HEAR MY PRAYER: GIVE EAR, O GOD OF JACOB. SELAH.   
This Psalm speaks of  the "beloved", of longing, and fainting with desire, and crying out. When one feels a love for the Almighty it is a propitious moment to pray and ask for what you need. It indicates that God wants to hear you and has enabled your soul to express its longing to be close to the Almighty.  Even if one has no such feeling by praying and learning the Bible it may be aroused.                 
 
[Psalms 84:9] BEHOLD, O GOD OUR SHIELD, AND LOOK UPON THE FACE OF THINE ANOINTED.                     
 
[Psalms 84:10] FOR 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.                     
 
[Psalms 84:11] FOR 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.                     
<<A SUN AND SHIELD>>:  The Almighty empowers us so that we shine out, inspire others, and deter our enemies. HE also protects us from forcers that otherwise might weaken or threaten to overwhelm us.
 
[Psalms 84:12] O LORD OF HOSTS, BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN THEE.