John Calvin Commentary 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 84:10 (ASV)

For better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Unlike the majority of humankind, who desire to live without knowing why, wishing simply that their lives may be prolonged, David here testifies not only that the purpose he had for his life was to serve God, but also that he placed a higher value on one day he could spend in divine service than on a long time spent among the people of the world, from whose society true religion is banished.

Since only priests were lawfully allowed to enter the inner and innermost courts of the temple, David expressly declares that if he were permitted to have a place at the porch, he would be content with this humble station. The Hebrew word ספ, saph, means a door-post, or the threshold of a house.

The value he placed on the sanctuary is presented in a very striking light by the comparison that he would prefer having a place at the very doors of the temple to having full possession of the tents of wickedness. This plainly means that he would rather be cast into a common and unhonored place, if he were among the people of God, than be exalted to the highest rank of honor among unbelievers.

A rare example of godliness indeed! Many can be found who desire to occupy a place in the Church, but such is the sway ambition has over the minds of people that very few are content to remain among the common and undistinguished class. Almost all are carried away with the frantic desire to rise to distinction and can never feel at ease until they have attained some position of eminence.