PSALMS
BOOK 3
Lesson Nine
PSALMS 84-89(A-2, Page 1 Lesson Eleven)THE SANCTUARY IN RELATION TO JEHOVAH
Psalms 84:1-12
84:1 The Blessedness of Dwelling in the House of God -To the Chief Musician - On an instrument of Gath - A Psalm of the sons of Korah
How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD, My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young --Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You. Selah
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You whose heart is set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!NKJV
PSALM 84:1-12(F-1, Page 1 lesson 8) THE BLESSEDNESS OF ITS WORSHIPPERS
F-1D. Psalms 84:1-4 Blessedness of dwellers
G. Psalms 84:5-7 Blessedness of approachers
E. Psalms 84:8 Prayer
E. Psalms 84:9 Prayer
D. Psalms 84:10 Blessedness of dwellers “For”(Reason of D)
G. Psalms 84:11,12 Blessedness of approachers “For” (Reason of G)
Psalm 84:1-4(D, above).BLESSEDNESS OF ITS DWELLERS
DA. Psalms 84:1 “Thy tabernacles”
B. Psalms 84:2 Desire for the courts of Jehovah
C. Psalms 84:3- As the sparrow
C. Psalms 84:-3- As the swallow
B. Psalms 84:-3 Desire for the altars of Jehovah
A. Psalms 84:4 “Thy house.
84:2My soul longed = I, even I myself, long. Hebrew nephesh, for emphasis.
84:3Yea, the sparrow, &C. These two lines are placed within a parenthesis. Even Thine alters. Figure of Speech Ellipsis. Supply it by repeating the verb “found” from preceding clause = “[Even so have I found] Thine altars,” &C. Nothing has “dropped out” from the text.
Altars: i.e. the two alters, the brazen altar of burnt offering, and the golden altar of incense. Birds could not build their nests in these! These have no reference to the times of the Maccabees, but to Exodus 27:1, and 30:1. Compare Numbers 3:31.
BOOK THREE SECTION NINE
84:4 Selah. Connecting the dwellers in, and the approachers to, the House of Jehovah, withthe commonblessedness of all true worshippers.
Psalms 84:1-4
This is the song of a pilgrim whose goal is almost reached.
There is throughout a sense of peace and communion that transcends the ritual and other outward features of worship. While the poem reflects the sentiments of pilgrims of any age, it appears to come from the period of the monarchy at a time when the Temple was still standing.
Verse 1-4. The Longing for God's House.
My soul longed, yea, even fainted. After exclaiming, how lovely are thy dwelling places, the psalmist shares his intense longings, which are about to be satisfied. His whole being yearns for fellowship with God. He envies the birds that live in the temple precincts. He recognizes how fortunate are those servants who live within the temple buildings.
Psalm 84:5-7(G, page 1)BLESSEDNESS OF APPROACHERS
GT. Psalms 84:5- Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee (Singular)
S. Psalms 84:-5 [They] in whose heart are [Thy] ways. (Plural)
U. Psalms 84:6- Those passing through the valley of the weeping,
Make it a place of springsThe Valley
U. Psalms 84:-6 The early rain filled its pools
S. Psalms 84:7- They go from strength to strength (Plural)
T. Psalms 84:-7 He (the “man” of v. 5, T) appeared before God in Zion. (Singular)
84:5 Man: i.e. any one, not priest or Levite merely. Hebrew Adam.Are the ways of them. Supply Figure of Speech Ellipsis, “in whose heart are [Thy] highways” [leading thereunto].
84:6 Of Baca = of weeping. All the ancient versions so render it. Compare Judges 2:1,5.
84:7 Every one of them in Zion appeared before God = he appeared before God in Zion. Note the singular, “he appeared” i.e. “the man” of v. 5. In Zion. The valley ofBeca (weeping) thus becomes the valley ofBerachal (or blessing), 2 Chronicles 20:26.
Selah. Connecting the request for audiencewiththe words of the prayer, and dividing the Psalm, structurally, into its two parts.
Psalms 84: A celebration of the pilgrimage to the Temple. The psalmist yearns to be in God’s presence and rehearses every step of the way to Jerusalem. It is one of the psalms that glorify Zion (see also Psalms 46; 48; 76; 87; 122).
84:1: Gittith, (see Psalms 8:1). Korahites, (see Psalms 42:1).
84:2: Lovely, Hebrew “yedidot,” is not just “beautiful” but “beloved.” There is almost a mystical quality in the intensity of the psalmist’s desire (with his entire being, verse 3) to be in God’s presence.
84:3: The courts, the outer parts of the Temple complex.
84:4: The movement progresses from the courts to the altar, near, which birds find a home, must as the psalmist wishes to find a home near God.
BOOK THREE SECTION NINE
84:5: Selah(also verse 9 see Psalms 3:3).
84:6: Happy, in a fortunate state; (cf. verses 6, 13).
84:7: Valley of Baca is an unknown place on the way to the Temple. Some interpret this as the ‘valley of Rephaim,’ where the baca trees grow (2 Samuel 5:22-24). The early rain falls in the land of Israel at the beginning of winter. This reference suggests that the pilgrimage is for the festival of Sukkot, just before the start of the rainy season, when prayers for rain are offered. Jewish Study Bible
Psalms 84:5-8
The Pilgrimage to God's House
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. The happiness of the permanent dweller is reflected in the pilgrim. He has a special sense of God's strength and has in his heart the highway to Zion. As he passes through the waterless valley, where only balsam trees can grow, a change takes place. The parched valley is transformed into a place of springs as the pilgrim receives and transmits the blessings of God.
84:9 Shield: i.e. God’s provision in Messiah. He is our Shield (Genesis 15:1). Faith’s shield (Ephesians 6:16). This shield includes:
- Favor (Psalms 5:12).
- Salvation (Psalms 18:35).
- Truth (Psalms 91:4).
And “Favor” includes Life (Psalms 30:5); Mercy (Isaiah 60:10); Preservation (Psalms 86:2); Security (Psalms 41:11); Remembrance and Salvation (Psalms 106:4). Compare Psalms 115:9-11. Thine Anointed= Thy Messiah. Not on us.
Psalms 84:9-12
The Joy of Worship in God's House
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. After breathing a short prayer for God's anointed king, the psalmist describes the joy of joining others in the service of worship. One day in the place of worship, he feels, would be worth more than a thousand days anywhere else.
He would rather be the humblest servant in the Temple, or get no further than the door, than have a permanent place where wickedness abounds. A sun and shield. God, like the chief heavenly body in the physical realm, is the sole source of all our spiritual power, energy, and light.
He isour protection, and He bestows needed grace in this life and glory in the life to come. Blessed, or (happy). Happiness is again emphasized for the one who has taken refuge in God through spiritual worship.
84:11. Is a sun. Is the Figure of Speech Metaphor. The only occurrence, in the Psalms, of this metaphor. It is used of Messiah, Malachi 4:2. Grace and glory. Not for former without the latter (Romans 8:29,30). The former is the flower, the latterthe fruit.
No good thing &C. The Figure of Speech is Tapeinosis= every good thing, beyond all mention, will He give.
84:9: God of Hosts is a substitute for “Lord of Hosts” (cf. verse 4).
BOOK THREE SECTION NINE
84:10: Shield and anointed refer to the king, whom God is asked to look upon with favor.
84:11: The psalmist prefers to stand at God’s threshold, merely setting his foot at the entrance and not fully entering the Temple, rather than to dwell, to reside fully, in the tents of the wicked (Hebrew “tents of wickedness”).
84:12: His bounty, rain; (cf. verse 7 “They pass through the Valley of Baca, [regarding it as a place of springs, as if the early rain had covered it with blessing meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.”]. Jewish Study Bible
Psalms 85:1-13
85:1 Prayer that the LORD Will Restore Favor to the Land -To the Chief Musician - A Psalm of the sons of Korah
LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah
3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will you prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak; For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.NKJV
Psalm 85:1-13PRAYER FOR THE LAND OF THE SANCTUARY
F-2H. Psalms 85:1-3 Mercies to the Land
J. Psalms 85:4 Prayer
K. Psalms 85:5,6 Questions
J. Psalms 85:7 Prayer
K. Psalms 85:8 Answer
H. Psalms 85:9-13 Mercies to the Land
For the sons of Korah. The eighth of eleven so ascribed.
85:1. Brought back the captivity = restored the fortunes as in Psalms 126:1, Job 42:10. No reference to the Babylonian captivity, but to the restoration of David’s fortunes after Absalom’s revolt. Jacob. Refers to the natural seed, and to the earthly and material standpoint.
Selah. Connecting forgiveness with (as being the basis of) millennial blessing.
Psalms 85:1-3
Though basically a national lament, this psalm has a strong prophetic element as well.
The first section (vv. 1-3) appears to refer to the return from captivity, but these verses are idealized beyond the known situation of those days. The psalmist uses this ideal picture to show the sharp contrast with the present and the assurance for the future.
BOOK THREE SECTION NINE
Verse 1-3. The Ideal of Forgiveness
Lord, thou hast been favorable. The pictures of God's favor, restoration,forgiveness,and cessation from wrath set forth the ideal of a perfect relation to God. The verbs in these verses, although translated as past tenses, are probably prophetic perfects, indicating that the psalmist views the events they forecast as certain of fulfillment.
Psalms 85:4-7
The Reality of the Present
Turn us ... cause thine anger toward us to cease. The present situation stands in bold relief when viewed in relation to the prophetic ideal. God's anger is still evident and appears to be unending. The psalmist appeals to God to restore, revive, show loving-kindness, andgrant deliverance.
Psalms 85: An exilic or postexilic psalm, praying for the restoration of Israel to its land. The land is mentioned in (verses 2, 10, 13). Depending on how the tense of the verbs in verses 1-4 is interpreted, the Jews have already returned, or the return is in the future. If the former, the plea is for an additional favor of restoration, perhaps because of the problems encountered by the returnees. The hope is for a moral and prosperous society.
85:1: Korahites (see Psalms 42).
85:2: Restore Jacob’s fortune, a common phrase for the return from exile (Jeremiah 30:3, 18; Amos 9:14).
85:3-7: Forgiveness of Israel’s sin is necessary for the restoration.
85:3: Selah(see Psalms 3:3).
85:7: If the nation returns and the Temple is rebuilt, the people may rejoice in God, that is, be in His presence and in His favor.
85:8: God’s faithfulness (“hesed” – see Psalms 5:8). To his covenant with Israel remains constant despite the exile, and is invoked here.
85:13: Bounty, rain (Leviticus 26:1-6; Deuteronomy 28:12; Psalms 67:6). Jewish Study Bible
Psalms 85:8-13
The Answer of Hope
I will hear what God the Lord will speak. In prophetic fashion the psalmist pauses to hear God's message in answer to the prayer of the people. He is certain that it will be a message of peace. By means of vivid personifications, he describes how real God’s salvation is.
The union of God's mercy orcovenant love and our truthor faithfulness, of His righteousnessand our peace of heart, of earth and heaven are certain when God and men meet. As a result of this encounter, God will provide for men's needs and lead them in right paths. For us today, the meeting-place can only be at the foot of the cross. (The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)
85:8. Peace. Referring to the war with Absalom. Saints = graced ones. Not turn again: i.e. rebel, as in Absalom’s case.
85:9. Glory may dwell: i.e. the glory of Jehovah’s presence in the Shekinah, in the Tabernacle.
BOOK THREE SECTION NINE
85:12. Our land &C. Note “Thy land” in v. 1 compare Psalms 67:6.
Psalms 86:1-17
86:1 Prayer for Mercy, with Meditation on the Excellencies of the LORD -A Prayer of David
Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me,for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long. 4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD;I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. 12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. 13 For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14 O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them. 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. 16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.NKJV
Psalm 86:1-17 PRAYER IN THE SANCTUARY MESSIAH’S HUMILIATION
THE SECRET OF THE BLESSING
G-12M. Psalms 86:1-6 Prayer
N. Psalms 86:7- “I will call”
O. Psalms 86:-7 Reason “For”
P. Psalms 86:8- Jehovah incomparable
P. Psalms 86:-8 His works incomparable
N. Psalms 86:9 “All nations shall worship”
O. Psalms 86:10 Reason “For”
M. Psalms 86:11-17 Prayer
Title. A Prayer = An Intercession, orHymn. Compare Psalms 72:20, referring to the whole of Book 2. The Hebrew here is Tephillahsee Introduction of Psalms. Of David. The only Psalm in this third book ascribed to David. Refers to David’s Son andLord.
In the Septuagint Bible (285 B.C.E.) this Psalm is called, A Prayer, By David.
Psalms 86:1
Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Verse 1. [Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me] See the notes at Psalms 5:1.
[For I am poor and needy] This is the reason here assigned why God should hear him. It is not a plea of merit. It is not that there was any claim on God in the fact that he was a poor and needy man-a sinner helplessand dependent, or that it would be any injustice if God should not hear,
BOOK THREE SECTION NINE
86:1 For a sinner has no claim to favor; but it is that this was a condition in, which the aid of God was needed, and in, which it was proper or appropriate for God to hear prayer, and to render help. We may always make our helplessness, our weakness, our poverty, ourneed, a ground of appeal to God;
Not as a claim of justice, but as a case in, which he will glorify himself by a gracious interposition. It is also to be remarked that it is a matter of unspeakable thankfulness that the "poor andneedy" may call upon God; that they will be as welcome as any class of people; that there is no condition of poverty and want so low that we are debarred from the privilege of approaching One who has infinite resources, and who is as willing to help as he is able.