Psalms 84:4

4 How blessed they are to live and sing there!

Psalms 84:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 84:4

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house
The house of God, in his tabernacles and courts; referring to the priests and Levites, who were frequently officiating there, in their turns, night and day; and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Gibeon, where the ark and tabernacle were, who had frequent opportunities of attendance on divine worship: and happy are those who have a name and place in the church of God, who abide there, and never go out; see ( Psalms 65:4 ) , the Targum is,

``blessed are the righteous''

and the Arabic version, "blessed are all they that dwell, &c", they are happy on account of their settlement, and also on account of their work, as follows:

they will be still praising thee;
which is delightful employment; for praise is pleasant and comely; and in which they are continually and constantly engaged, as their mercies return upon them, as they do every day; and especially on Lord's days, or at the stated times of public worship; such will bless and praise the Lord, both for temporal and spiritual blessings, as long as they live; see ( Hebrews 13:15 ) .

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

Psalms 84:4 In-Context

2 Always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
3 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. God of the Angel Armies! King! God!
4 How blessed they are to live and sing there!
5 And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel;
6 They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.