Psa 84:3 | KingComments | STEP | This psalm is of the sons of Korah ( ). Prophetically this psalm is about the faithful remnant. Father Korah is a type of the unbelieving part of Israel under the antichrist and his followers. His sons, on the other hand, are a type of the believing remnant ( ). After the false leaders of Israel (Psalm 82) and the king of the North and his allies (Psalm 83) are eliminated, we find in Psalm 84 prophetically the spiritual exercises of the ten tribes realm still in dispersion. We read in this psalm of their desire to return to the land of Israel, the aliyah – means ‘going up’, that is returning to the promised land, in this case the return of the ten tribes –, and in particular their desire to meet God’s anointed, the Messiah, Christ Jesus ( ). This psalm is a pilgrim’s psalm. The believer is on his way to Jerusalem and specifically to the temple. The wish of every Jew outside of Israel is: see you next year in Jerusalem. It is the same with this believing Israelite. We also see this after the redemption of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Then the people go on a journey to the land and the house of God ( ; ). While in the land, they march three times a year to Jerusalem and the temple ( ). Also on the way to the land, in the wilderness, they have a sanctuary: the tabernacle. As an application to us, we can remember that we are on a journey to the place where the Lord Jesus is in the midst ( ). Each time we may gather as a church around Him. That is what our life is all about. For us, the temple is not a building, but the assembled believers are the temple. It is a spiritual temple that consists of living stones ( ). When believers come together, they bring spiritual sacrifices, which are the songs of praise that ascend to God ( ). We can also remember that we are on a journey to heaven, the Father’s house. There we are allowed to dwell forever. Even now, on our journey to that place, we may boldly enter into God’s presence and continually offer Him sacrifices of praise ( ). In Psalm 81 we have the Feast of the blowing of the Trumpets, which is the call to humility. Now that, prophetically, according to Psalm 83, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, has appeared, we see in Psalm 84 the Feast of Booths, (see at ) which speaks symbolically of the realm of peace. For “for the choir director” see at Psalm 4:1. “On the Gittith“ also occurs in the heading of Psalm 8 and Psalm 81 ( ). This links these three psalms together. Psalm 8 speaks of the reign of the Lord Jesus in the realm of peace. Psalm 81 speaks of the Feast of the blowing of the Trumpets, which is the feast of the restoration of Israel to its relationship with the Messiah in the realm of peace. Psalm 84 connects to this with the desire to be in the presence of the LORD. See further at Psalm 8:1. This is the first “psalm of the sons of Korah” of the four that appear in the third book of Psalms (Psalms 84-85; 87-88). They form an appendix to the eight psalms that are of them at the beginning of the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-49). Psalm 84 has similarities with Psalm 42. Both psalms are about longing for the sanctuary of God, from which they are now far away. See further at Psalm 42:1. There is this difference that in Psalm 42 it is the desire of the remnant of the Jews, the two tribes, and in Psalm 84 it is the desire of the remaining ten tribes of Israel. That the two tribes and the ten tribes will again be united is seen, for example, in Ezekiel 37 ( ). The following psalms of the sons of Korah also elaborate on the restoration of these ten tribes. These believers are the elect of the ten tribes, whom the angels will gather together “from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other” ( ). The passionate love of the remnant for God’s dwellings contrasts sharply with the destruction by the enemies of those dwelling places ( ; ). To the remnant, “Your dwelling places” are “lovely”. That is because He, Who is so dear to them, dwells there. He is the Anointed ( ), Who is also their King and their God ( ). There is nothing else on earth that their heart desires so much. Opposite the enemies gathered to take possession of God’s dwellings, the remnant speaks to the “LORD of hosts”. All powers, including the God-hating ones, are under His supreme authority. He controls, rules, governs and orders everything. This title occurs three more times in this short psalm: in . The “soul” of the sons of Korah, and of every one who knows God, like the remnant, has a great longing “for the courts of the LORD” ( ). The soul is the inner being, the thinking, all that is in him. “My soul” is the same as ‘I’, but with emphasis and poetic, and then continues with “my heart” and “my flesh”. This longing is so great that his soul “even yearned”. Everything in him yearns for God. He is consumed by it. There is a fierce thirst for God (cf. ). If only he will be in “the courts of the LORD”, then his longing will be satisfied. Then he will be in the direct presence of the living God. The New Testament believer is also permitted to know this longing, a longing that is stilled when he consciously enters God’s sanctuary. The way to this has been opened for him by the Lord Jesus. He has free access to God, Who is Father to him ( ; ; ). When the Lord Jesus has taken the church to Himself in the Father’s house, there will be an undisturbed, full, eternal fulfillment of this longing. The remnant longs with their whole being, “my heart and my flesh”, to be in the presence of God. They “sing for joy to the living God” that He will satisfy their longing (cf. ; ). He is the living God in contrast to the dead idols of the enemies, who could not prevent their destruction (cf. ). It is useless to cry out to dead idols. The living God listens when people call to Him (cf. 1 Kgs 18:25-29,36-39). They know that God cares for the insignificant “bird”, or “sparrow” ( ) by providing this little animal with “a home” ( ). He also gives the restless “swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young”. These two little birds, who are a picture of man, who does not mean anything and goes his way restlessly (cf. ), have found a place of rest, not only for themselves, but also for their young. These little birds have their nests in the buildings of the temple. It is the privileged place close to the altar. Thus – in picture – the insignificant, but to God valuable remnant finds a resting place in the presence of God. That is what the psalmist wishes for himself. How happy, how blessed ( ) is one who dwells in the presence of God. When this desire of the psalmist is fulfilled, he will have a home, fellowship and company with God. The place of rest is at “Your altars”. There are two altars in God’s house: the bronze burnt offering altar and the golden altar of incense. The burnt offering altar stands in the court and speaks of the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Here man finds rest for his conscience. The altar of incense speaks of worship. It stands in the sanctuary, in the presence of God, where the believer enjoys fellowship with Him. The remnant here speaks directly to God. They again call Him “LORD of hosts”. He is above all the heavenly and earthly hosts. They now add their personal relationship with Him. Each member of the remnant also has his own personal relationship with Him. Therefore, each one personally says it to God: “My King and my God.” The sons of Korah – as the voice of the remnant, the ten tribes in exile – who are far from the sanctuary, praise them “blessed … who dwell in Your house!” ( ). ‘Blessed’ means ‘happy’ or ‘full of happiness’. In Psalm 1, “blessed” is for those who delight in the law of the LORD ( ). The Word of God brings us into the presence of God. Psalm 1 also suggests the two paths to choose. Here, in Psalm 84, the remnant makes the right choice. That is why the word ‘blessed’ is added here. That ‘blessed’ sounds here for those who dwell in the house of God. “Christ also died for sins once for all, [the] just for [the] unjust, so that He might bring us to God” ( ). His suffering was for the purpose of bringing us into the presence of God. When you are there, you cannot be silent. Therefore, being “blessed” here is connected to “ever praising” the LORD. To dwell in God’s house means to be at home there, to have rest there in the fellowship with God (cf. ). Those who dwell there are full of God’s glory and are “ever praising” Him ( ). In God’s house is taking place what will also take place without interruption in eternity: singing praises to God. There is every reason to do so. After all, He has redeemed His own and brought them into His presence ( ).

‏ Psalms 84:3

Introduction

This psalm is of the sons of Korah (Psa 84:1a). Prophetically this psalm is about the faithful remnant. Father Korah is a type of the unbelieving part of Israel under the antichrist and his followers. His sons, on the other hand, are a type of the believing remnant (Num 26:10 ; 11).

After the false leaders of Israel (Psalm 82) and the king of the North and his allies (Psalm 83) are eliminated, we find in Psalm 84 prophetically the spiritual exercises of the ten tribes realm still in dispersion. We read in this psalm of their desire to return to the land of Israel, the aliyah – means ‘going up’, that is returning to the promised land, in this case the return of the ten tribes –, and in particular their desire to meet God’s anointed, the Messiah, Christ Jesus (Psa 84:9).

This psalm is a pilgrim’s psalm. The believer is on his way to Jerusalem and specifically to the temple. The wish of every Jew outside of Israel is: see you next year in Jerusalem. It is the same with this believing Israelite. We also see this after the redemption of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Then the people go on a journey to the land and the house of God (Exo 15:13-17; Deu 12:1-7). While in the land, they march three times a year to Jerusalem and the temple (Deu 16:16). Also on the way to the land, in the wilderness, they have a sanctuary: the tabernacle.

As an application to us, we can remember that we are on a journey to the place where the Lord Jesus is in the midst (Mt 18:20). Each time we may gather as a church around Him. That is what our life is all about. For us, the temple is not a building, but the assembled believers are the temple. It is a spiritual temple that consists of living stones (1Pet 2:5a). When believers come together, they bring spiritual sacrifices, which are the songs of praise that ascend to God (1Pet 2:5b).

We can also remember that we are on a journey to heaven, the Father’s house. There we are allowed to dwell forever. Even now, on our journey to that place, we may boldly enter into God’s presence and continually offer Him sacrifices of praise (Heb 10:19 ; Heb 13:15).

In Psalm 81 we have the Feast of the blowing of the Trumpets, which is the call to humility. Now that, prophetically, according to Psalm 83, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, has appeared, we see in Psalm 84 the Feast of Booths, (see at Psa 84:6) which speaks symbolically of the realm of peace.

Longing For the Sanctuary

For “for the choir director” see at Psalm 4:1.

“On the Gittith“ also occurs in the heading of Psalm 8 and Psalm 81 (Psa 8:1 ; Psa 81:1). This links these three psalms together. Psalm 8 speaks of the reign of the Lord Jesus in the realm of peace. Psalm 81 speaks of the Feast of the blowing of the Trumpets, which is the feast of the restoration of Israel to its relationship with the Messiah in the realm of peace. Psalm 84 connects to this with the desire to be in the presence of the LORD. See further at Psalm 8:1.

This is the first “psalm of the sons of Korah” of the four that appear in the third book of Psalms (Psalms 84-85; 87-88). They form an appendix to the eight psalms that are of them at the beginning of the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-49). Psalm 84 has similarities with Psalm 42. Both psalms are about longing for the sanctuary of God, from which they are now far away. See further at Psalm 42:1.

There is this difference that in Psalm 42 it is the desire of the remnant of the Jews, the two tribes, and in Psalm 84 it is the desire of the remaining ten tribes of Israel. That the two tribes and the ten tribes will again be united is seen, for example, in Ezekiel 37 (Eze 37:21-22). The following psalms of the sons of Korah also elaborate on the restoration of these ten tribes. These believers are the elect of the ten tribes, whom the angels will gather together “from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other” (Mt 24:31).

The passionate love of the remnant for God’s dwellings contrasts sharply with the destruction by the enemies of those dwelling places (Psa 84:1b; Psa 83:12). To the remnant, “Your dwelling places” are “lovely”. That is because He, Who is so dear to them, dwells there. He is the Anointed (Psa 84:9), Who is also their King and their God (Psa 84:3). There is nothing else on earth that their heart desires so much.

Opposite the enemies gathered to take possession of God’s dwellings, the remnant speaks to the “LORD of hosts”. All powers, including the God-hating ones, are under His supreme authority. He controls, rules, governs and orders everything. This title occurs three more times in this short psalm: in Psa 84:3 ; 8 ; 12.

The “soul” of the sons of Korah, and of every one who knows God, like the remnant, has a great longing “for the courts of the LORD” (Psa 84:2). The soul is the inner being, the thinking, all that is in him. “My soul” is the same as ‘I’, but with emphasis and poetic, and then continues with “my heart” and “my flesh”.

This longing is so great that his soul “even yearned”. Everything in him yearns for God. He is consumed by it. There is a fierce thirst for God (cf. Psa 42:1b-2 ; Psa 63:1b). If only he will be in “the courts of the LORD”, then his longing will be satisfied. Then he will be in the direct presence of the living God.

The New Testament believer is also permitted to know this longing, a longing that is stilled when he consciously enters God’s sanctuary. The way to this has been opened for him by the Lord Jesus. He has free access to God, Who is Father to him (Heb 10:19-22; Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:18). When the Lord Jesus has taken the church to Himself in the Father’s house, there will be an undisturbed, full, eternal fulfillment of this longing.

The remnant longs with their whole being, “my heart and my flesh”, to be in the presence of God. They “sing for joy to the living God” that He will satisfy their longing (cf. Psa 42:3; Hos 1:10). He is the living God in contrast to the dead idols of the enemies, who could not prevent their destruction (cf. Isa 46:1-2 ; 5-7). It is useless to cry out to dead idols. The living God listens when people call to Him (cf. 1 Kgs 18:25-29,36-39).

They know that God cares for the insignificant “bird”, or “sparrow” (Lk 12:6) by providing this little animal with “a home” (Psa 84:3). He also gives the restless “swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young”. These two little birds, who are a picture of man, who does not mean anything and goes his way restlessly (cf. Pro 26:2), have found a place of rest, not only for themselves, but also for their young.

These little birds have their nests in the buildings of the temple. It is the privileged place close to the altar. Thus – in picture – the insignificant, but to God valuable remnant finds a resting place in the presence of God. That is what the psalmist wishes for himself. How happy, how blessed (Psa 84:4) is one who dwells in the presence of God. When this desire of the psalmist is fulfilled, he will have a home, fellowship and company with God.

The place of rest is at “Your altars”. There are two altars in God’s house: the bronze burnt offering altar and the golden altar of incense. The burnt offering altar stands in the court and speaks of the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Here man finds rest for his conscience. The altar of incense speaks of worship. It stands in the sanctuary, in the presence of God, where the believer enjoys fellowship with Him.

The remnant here speaks directly to God. They again call Him “LORD of hosts”. He is above all the heavenly and earthly hosts. They now add their personal relationship with Him. Each member of the remnant also has his own personal relationship with Him. Therefore, each one personally says it to God: “My King and my God.”

The sons of Korah – as the voice of the remnant, the ten tribes in exile – who are far from the sanctuary, praise them “blessed … who dwell in Your house!” (Psa 84:4). ‘Blessed’ means ‘happy’ or ‘full of happiness’. In Psalm 1, “blessed” is for those who delight in the law of the LORD (Psa 1:1-3). The Word of God brings us into the presence of God. Psalm 1 also suggests the two paths to choose. Here, in Psalm 84, the remnant makes the right choice. That is why the word ‘blessed’ is added here. That ‘blessed’ sounds here for those who dwell in the house of God.

“Christ also died for sins once for all, [the] just for [the] unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1Pet 3:18). His suffering was for the purpose of bringing us into the presence of God. When you are there, you cannot be silent. Therefore, being “blessed” here is connected to “ever praising” the LORD. To dwell in God’s house means to be at home there, to have rest there in the fellowship with God (cf. Psa 23:6). Those who dwell there are full of God’s glory and are “ever praising” Him (Heb 13:15). In God’s house is taking place what will also take place without interruption in eternity: singing praises to God. There is every reason to do so. After all, He has redeemed His own and brought them into His presence (Col 1:12-15).