Psalm 84:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

NIV: Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

NASB: The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may put her young: Your altars, Lord of armies, My King and my God.

CSB: Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young— near your altars, Lord of Armies, my King and my God.

NLT: Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

Psalm 84:1–4 express the psalmist's love for the temple. This is not inspired by duty or obligation. Rather, this is deep love for the Lord and His sanctuary. To "dwell," in these contexts, implies deliberate and habitual time spent. The psalm mentions birds who live near the altars. This might poetically refer to the safety which comes in God's presence. Or it may be the psalmist yearning to truly live in the temple as do these birds.

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.