The Psalms of the Sons of Korah are largely devoted to the exaltation of the Temple worship. This Psalm sets forth the attractiveness of the Temple and its worship (v. 1~4), and the happiness of the pilgrims who gather to it from different parts of the land v. 5~7). After a prayer for God's favour (v. 8~9), it speaks of the privilege of the humblest office in the Temple (v. 10), and closes by describing the graciousness of God (v. 11), and the blessedness of trusting Him (v. 12).
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. Which means 'going up', that is returning to the promised land, in this case the return of the scattered tribes, and in particular their desire to meet God’s anointed, the Messiah, Christ Jesus (v. 9).
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
Psalms 84:2
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Psalms 84:3
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
Psalms 84:4
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psalms 84:5
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psalms 84:6
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
Psalms 84:7
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
Psalms 84:8
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Psalms 84:9
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
Psalms 84:10
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalms 84:11
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.
Psalms 84:12
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
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 (Matthew 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 (1Peter 2:5). 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 (Hebrews 10:19; 13:15).
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