Psalm 84:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

NIV: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

NASB: For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than live in the tents of wickedness.

CSB: Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people.

NLT: A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

Psalm 84:8–12 closes the song with a plea for God to hear prayers for protection and safety. The reference to God as the "LORD of Hosts" refers to His command of the armies of heaven. The psalmist's love for God is so great that he would rather take the humblest location in the temple—God's house—than to live anywhere else.

For those who love God, the temple is a place of intense joy and security. The psalmist would rather be there than anywhere else—even if it means being in the humblest postures. Pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem are encouraged to know that their destination is the temple. This makes even the long journey easy, and its hardships seem pleasant. The song appeals to God for His protection over those who honor and praise Him.

This psalm includes similar themes as psalms 42 and 43: deep desire to worship God. The Sons of Korah are a group of official singers (2 Chronicles 20:19); the psalms attached to them are likely written in a particular style or intended for their use. The subject matter implies that this is a pilgrimage song for those traveling to Jerusalem for the required festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). The word gittiyth implies a kind of winepress; here it may mean a style or an instrument. Other songs associated with the Sons of Korah are Psalms 42, 44–49, 84—85, and 87—88.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.