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Psalms 84:1

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¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)} upon Gittith {H1665}, A Psalm {H4210} for the sons {H1121} of Korah {H7141}. How amiable {H3039} are thy tabernacles {H4908}, O LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}!

For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of the sons of Korach: How deeply loved are your dwelling-places, ADONAI-Tzva'ot!

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts!

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts!

Commentary

Context

Psalm 84 is a beloved psalm, often referred to as "The Pilgrim's Psalm," expressing profound longing for God's dwelling place. The superscription attributes it "To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah." The Sons of Korah were a Levitical family, specifically temple musicians and gatekeepers, whose duties would have fostered a deep connection to the sanctuary. This background explains their intense yearning for the physical presence of God in His Temple. "Gittith" likely refers to a musical instrument or tune, perhaps originating from Gath. The psalm captures the fervent desire of pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for a festival, eager to worship in the sacred precincts of the Temple.

Key Themes

  • Deep Affection for God's Presence: The opening exclamation, "How amiable [are] thy tabernacles," immediately sets the tone of profound love and desire for God's dwelling. It's not merely about a building, but about the communion and worship experienced in the presence of the Almighty.
  • The Beauty and Desirability of God's House: The word "amiable" conveys a sense of inherent loveliness and attractiveness, highlighting the spiritual delight found in drawing near to God. The psalm emphasizes the joy and blessedness of being in His courts.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: The title "O LORD of hosts!" (Yahweh Sabaoth) underscores God's supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly powers. This majestic title reinforces the awe and reverence due to Him and His dwelling place, making it a sanctuary of ultimate security and holiness. For more on this title, see Isaiah 6:3.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Amiable": The KJV translates the Hebrew word yedidot (יְדִידוֹת), which literally means "lovely," "beloved," or "delightful things." It conveys a strong sense of affection, desirability, and endearment, suggesting that God's dwelling is not just pleasant but deeply cherished and longed for.
  • "Tabernacles": The Hebrew term mishkanot (מִשְׁכָּנוֹת) is plural, meaning "dwelling places." While referring to the singular Temple in Jerusalem, its plural form may emphasize the various courts and sacred spaces within the Temple complex, or simply be a plural of majesty or intensity, highlighting the grandeur of God's abode.
  • "LORD of hosts": This powerful divine title, Yahweh Sabaoth (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת), signifies God's command over celestial armies and all creation. It emphasizes His omnipotence, majesty, and unchallengeable authority, making His presence in the Temple a source of immense power and holiness.

Practical Application

While the physical Temple no longer stands, the spiritual longing expressed in Psalm 84:1 remains highly relevant for believers today. As Christians, we understand that our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence dwells within us. This verse encourages us to cultivate a similar deep affection and desire for:

  • Personal Communion with God: To find our greatest delight in spending time in His presence through prayer, Bible study, and meditation.
  • Corporate Worship: To value and eagerly participate in gatherings with other believers, recognizing the blessing and joy found in collective worship and fellowship.
  • A Heart of Spiritual Longing: To continually seek God and His righteousness above all else, making His presence the most "amiable" and desirable aspect of our lives, much like the Sons of Korah longed for His earthly dwelling (compare Psalm 42:1).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 27:4 (22 votes)

    One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

  • Psalms 43:3 (15 votes)

    O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

  • Psalms 36:8 (8 votes)

    They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

  • Psalms 8:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

  • Psalms 122:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

  • Revelation 21:22 (6 votes)

    And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

  • Revelation 21:23 (6 votes)

    And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.