Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 84:1

TITLE. Here note, that the sons, that is, the posterity of wicked and rebellious Korah, have an honourable place in God's sacred and solemn service: for to them sundry of David's psalms are commended. . . . Here see the verifying of God's word, for the comfort of all godly children, that the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, Eze 18:14,17,20, if he see his father's sins and turn from them. Thomas Pierson (1570-1633), in "David's Heart's Desire."

Whole Psalm.

O Lord of hosts, how lovely in mine eyes

The tents where thou dost dwell!

For thine abode my spirit faints and sighs;

The courts I love so well.

My longing soul is weary

Within thy house to be;

This world is waste and dreary,

A desert land to me.

The sparrow, Lord, hath found a sheltered home,

The swallow hath her nest;

She layeth there her young, and though she roam,

Returneth there to rest.

I, to thine altar flying,

Would there for ever be;

My heart and flesh are crying,

O living God, for thee!

How blest are they who in thy house abide!

Thee evermore they praise.

How strong the man whom thou alone dost guide,

Whose heart doth keep thy ways.

A pilgrim and a stranger,

He leaneth on thine arm;

And thou, in time of danger,

Dost shield him from alarm.

From strength to strength through Baca's vale of woe,

They pass along in prayer,

And gushing streams of living water flow,

Dug by their faithful care;

Thy rain is sent from heaven

To fertilise the land,

And wayside grace is given

Till they in Zion stand.

Lord God of hosts, attend unto my prayer!

O Jacob's God, give ear!

Behold, O God, our shield, we through thy care,

Within thy courts appear!

Look thou upon the glory

Of thine Anointed's face;

In him we stand before thee,

To witness of thy grace!

One day with thee excelleth over and over

A thousand days apart;

In thine abode, within thy temple door,

Would stand my watchful heart.

Men tell me of the treasure

Hid in their tents of sin;

I look not there for pleasure,

Nor choose to enter in.

Own then the Lord to be thy Sun, thy Shield —

No good will he withhold;

He giveth grace, and soon shall be revealed

His glory, yet untold.

His mighty name confessing,

Walk thou at peace and free;O Lord, how rich the blessing

Of him who trusts in thee! —German Choral Music.

How amiable are thy tabernacles. What was there in them that appeared so amiable? Perchance, the edifice was famed for the skill and cost bestowed on it? But the temple of extraordinary beauty was not yet constructed. The tabernacle was lowly, more suited to pilgrims than to a great people, and little becoming the king himself. Therefore to the pious there is no need of vast or sumptuous temples to the end that they should love the house of God. Musculus.