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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 84, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.] How amiable {are} thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! {for the sons: or, of the sons}
Psalms 84:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Psalms 84:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 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.
Psalms 84:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 Blessed {are} they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psalms 84:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Blessed {is} the man whose strength {is} in thee; in whose heart {are} the ways {of them}.
Psalms 84:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 {Who} passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. {Baca...: or, mulberry trees make him a well, etc} {filleth: Heb. covereth}
Psalms 84:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 They go from strength to strength, {every one of them} in Zion appeareth before God. {strength to...: or, company to company}
Psalms 84:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Psalms 84:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
Psalms 84:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {I had...: Heb. I would choose rather to sit at the threshold}
Psalms 84:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 For the LORD God {is} a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good {thing} will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalms 84:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed {is} the man that trusteth in thee.