John Calvin Commentary Psalms 84:6

"Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings." — Psalms 84:6 (ASV)

They passing through the valley of weeping, will together make it a well. The Psalmist's meaning is that no obstacles can prevent enlightened and courageous worshippers of God from conscientiously attending the sanctuary.

By speaking this way, he confirms the statement he had previously made: that nothing is more desirable than to be daily engaged in God's worship. He thereby shows that no difficulties can stop the ardent longings of the godly and prevent them from hastening eagerly—indeed, even though their way should be through dry and barren deserts—to meet together to observe the holy assemblies.

Since the Hebrew word הבחא, habbacha, when the final letter is ה, he, means tears, and when the final letter is א, aleph, a mulberry tree, some here read valley of tears, and others, valley of the mulberry. The majority of interpreters adopt the first reading, but the other opinion is not without probability.

However, there is no doubt that dry and barren deserts are meant here. Traveling through them involves much difficulty and hardship, particularly from the lack of water, as drink is the most necessary item for travelers.

David intended this as an argument to prove the steadfastness of the godly. The scarcity of water, which often discourages travelers from continuing their journey, will not hinder them from hastening to seek God, even if their way should be through sandy and barren vales.

These words rebuke the laziness of those who will not endure any inconvenience to benefit from God's service. They indulge in their own ease and pleasures and allow nothing to interfere with these. Therefore, as long as they are not required to make any effort or sacrifice, they will readily claim to be God's servants. However, they would not give a hair of their head, or make the smallest sacrifice, to gain the freedom to hear the gospel preached and to enjoy the sacraments.

This lazy spirit, as daily observation clearly shows, keeps many people firmly bound to their nests, so that they cannot bear to give up any part of their own ease and convenience. Indeed, even in those places where they are summoned by the sound of the church bell to public prayers, to hear the doctrine of salvation, or to partake of the holy mysteries, we see that some give themselves to sleep, some think only of gain, some are entangled with worldly affairs, and others are engaged in their amusements.

It is therefore not surprising if those who live at a distance, and who cannot enjoy these religious services and means of salvation without sacrificing some of their worldly possessions, remain lolling at home.

So that such people may not live securely and self-satisfied while enjoying outward prosperity, David declares that those who have true, heartfelt religion and sincerely serve God make their way to God's sanctuary. They do this not only when the way is easy and pleasant, under the shade and through delightful paths, but also when they must walk through rugged and barren deserts. Indeed, they would rather make cisterns for themselves with immense effort than be prevented from continuing their journey because of the country's drought.