Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 84

The psalmist deeply longs for God's presence. He feels weak with longing as he thinks about the temple and the pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem (Psalm 84:1–7). He prays for himself and the community (Psalm 84:8–9).

The end of the psalm (Psalm 84:10–12) shows that the temple represents God. The psalmist truly desires God's presence. He understands that God's goodness is better than life and that only God can grant his people favor and honor (Psalm 84:10–11).

The psalmist is far from the temple. He turns toward it in hopeful reflection.

The poet envies the birds that have nesting places in and around the temple.

The priests and those who worked in the temple also lived there.

The pilgrimage to Jerusalem reminded people of the exodus, when God provided for his people in a wonderful way (see Psalm 78:15–16; 105:41). The psalmist describes how the hardships of the journey turn into joy when the travelers arrive.

Travelers needed strength to meet the challenges of pilgrimage by foot along unpaved paths, in all kinds of weather and with the possibility of assaults.

• The Valley of Baca is also called the Valley of Weeping or the Valley of Tears. It likely symbolizes the sadness that lonely pilgrims felt (see Psalm 23:4), rather than a real place.

• spring … autumn rain: Even when pilgrims feel completely worn out, the hope of getting closer to the Lord encourages them (compare Isaiah 35:6–10; 41:18–20; 43:17–20; 49:10).

Both kings and priests were anointed to dedicate them for service (see Psalm 132:17; Exodus 28:41; 1 Samuel 9:16; 16:1–13; compare Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:38).

The psalmist viewed being in God’s presence as much better than being anywhere else.

Some people worshiped the sun as a god, but the true God provides all that anyone needs.