The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 3 · Psalm 84
PSALM LXXXIV.
To the chief Muſician upon Gittith. A Pſalm for the Sons of Korah.
ARGUMENT.
It is uncertain to what times this Pſalm belongs: They ſeem to have moſt reaſon on their ſide, who think it was compoſed upon the ſame occaſion with the XLII. and XLIII. when David, forced from Jeruſalem by the rebellion of his Son Abſalom, moſt paſſionately long'd to be reſtor'd to the place of God's worſhip. But it may as well, or better, in my judgment, be thought to have been compoſed by ſome pious Levite, in the Country; when Senacherib's Army had blockt up the way to Jeruſalem, and hindred them from waiting upon the ſervice of God, at the Temple: where he judged the loweſt Miniſtry, that of a Porter (as we reade Ver. 10.) to be far more honourable; then the higheſt preferment among Pagan Nations. And thus I ſhall take the liberty to expound it in my Paraphraſe: pointing the Reader to ſuch places, in the Hiſtory of that ſad time, as I think will explain ſome paſſages of this Pſalm: which, after their freedom was reſtored, by the deſtruction of Senacherib's Army, the Authour of it delivered to the Maſter of Muſick in the Temple, to be ſung as the VIII. Pſalm. See there.
1. HOW amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hoſts!
1. IT is impoſſible to expreſs the affection I have to thy Dwelling-place, O Lord; who art attended there by the miniſtry of the heavenly hoſt, (XXXVII. Iſa. 16.) and needeſt none of our ſervices:
2. My ſoul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my fleſh crieth out for the living God.
2. But we cannot live, with any ſatisfaction, while we are abſent from Thee; for I am ready to faint away in ardent longings, to tread again in the Courts of the Lord's Houſe: where my tongue, and my hands, as well as my mind, would gladly be imployed, in the praiſes of our God; who in this excells all other, (2 King. XIX. 4, 16, 18.) that He lives for ever.
3. Yea the ſparrow hath found an houſe, and the ſwallow a neſt for her ſelf, where ſhe may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hoſts, my King and my God.
3. It grieves me, O mighty Lord of all the heavenly hoſts, whoſe Subject I am, and infinitely engaged to Thee; to ſee the very Birds who know nothing of Thee, injoy that liberty which is denied me: who am here lamenting my diſtance from Thee, when the Sparrows and the Ringdoves have their conſtant reſidence at thy Houſe; and there live ſo undiſturbed, that they build their neſts, and bring forth their young, in the rafters of it.
4. Bleſſed are they that dwell in thy houſe: they will be ſtill praiſing thee. Selah.
4. O how happy are they who partake of ſuch a privilege! who live ſo near thy Houſe and frequent it ſo much, as if it were their own! Their delightfull imployment is, with neverceaſing praiſes, to pay their thankfull acknowledgments unto Thee.
5. Bleſſed is the man whoſe ſtrength is in thee: in whoſe heart are the ways of them.
5. And happy alſo is that man (how mean ſoever his outward condition be) who relying upon thy Divine protection, (XXXIV. Exodus 24.) goes up three times a year to the ſolemn Feaſt at Jeruſalem: or when he is debarred that liberty, as I now am, is one of thoſe devout perſons, whoſe hearts are more in the high-ways that lead thither; then at their own home.
6. Who paſſing through the valley of Baca, make it a well: the rain alſo filleth the pools.
6. Who travelling through the troubleſome valley of Bacha, where there is no water, paſs it as cheerfully, as if it abounded with pleaſant Springs: and, depending on God as the Fountain of what they want, receive from Him the bleſſing of plentifull and ſeaſonable ſhowres, to refreſh them in their journey:
7. They go from ſtrength to ſtrength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
7. So that the whole company, go from ſtage to ſtage, with an unwearied vigour; till they all preſent themſelves before God, to receive his bleſſing in his Temple, upon the Hill of Sion
8. O LORD God of hoſts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
8. O mighty Lord, who commandeſt all the heavenly hoſts, which attend in that holy place (and are far more numerous then the Armies that invade us, 2 Chron. XXXII. 7.) make me one of that happy number: and reſtore me, O God, who deliveredſt Jacob out of all his troubles, to the liberty of waiting upon Thee there.
9. Behold, O God our ſhield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
9. Look graciouſly upon me, O God, who haſt hitherto been our protectour againſt the moſt powerfull enemies: and accept the prayer of our Sovereign, who petitions Thee ſtill, to be our Defender, 2 King. XIX. 19.
10. For a day in thy courts is better then a thouſand: I had rather be a doorkeeper in the houſe of my God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedneſs.
10. For one day ſpent in thy Courts is far more pleaſant, than a thouſand in any other place: and I had rather lie at the Gates of thy Houſe, then live in the moſt ſplendid condition, in Idolatrous Countries.
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.
11. For, though our happineſs be ſometimes clouded yet, the Lord, like the Sun, will diſpell the darkneſs of affliction; and, having brought us out of a diſconſolate condition, defend and ſecure us in a better: (2 King. XX. 6.) The Lord will give thoſe favour with others, and advance them to great honour, (2 Chron. XXXII. 22, 23.) He will never be ſparing of his bleſſings, but heap them abundantly on thoſe, who ſincerely doe his will in all things, 2 King. XVIII. 5, 6. XX. 3.
12. O LORD of hoſts, bleſſed is the man that truſteth in thee.
12. O moſt mighty Lord, who commandeſt all the hoſt of heaven, happy is that man, who by his integrity, preſerves this hope and confidence in Thee; though, for the preſent, he be reſtrained from the delightfull injoyment of Thee, in thy Temple.