Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 84:1

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 84:1

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 84:1

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts!" — Psalms 84:1 (ASV)

How amiable - How much to be loved; how lovely. The word amiable is now used to denote a quality of mind or disposition—as gentle, affectionate, kind. The word used here, however, in the original, means rather dear, beloved—as a token of endearment. Compare the notes at the title to (Psalms 45:0). The idea here is that the place of public worship is dear to the heart, as a beloved friend, a child, a wife, is. There is a strong and tender love for it.

Are your tabernacles - Your dwelling-places. This word might be applied either to the tabernacle or the temple, or to any place where God was supposed to reside, or where his worship was celebrated. The plural form is used here probably because the tabernacle and the temple were divided into two parts or rooms, and each might be regarded as in a proper sense the dwelling-place of God. See the notes at (Matthew 21:12 and following).

O Lord of hosts! - Yahweh of hosts; Yahweh, controlling, ruling, guiding, marshalling all the armies of heaven and earth: compare the notes at (Isaiah 1:9); notes at (Psalms 24:10).