Psalm-84
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*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
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of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of Thy Law!
Tehillim
- Psalm 119:18..
(JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to
‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having
been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the
following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE
WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם -
the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Foreword:
A concise guide to Psalm 84: this psalm is a heartfelt pilgrimage song that celebrates longing for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God) presence, the blessing of dwelling in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s house, and trust that carries worshipers through hardship into joy; read it as both personal devotion and communal praise.
Introduction to Psalm 84:
Psalm 84 is traditionally attributed to the Sons
of Korah and reads as a pilgrim’s meditation on the
delight of being in אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’s sanctuary, the deep
yearning of the soul for אֱלֹהִים, and the assurance that אֱלֹהִים blesses those who trust in
him. Its tone moves from longing (vv.1-4) through
pilgrimage imagery (vv.5-7) to prayer and affirmation
of ’
אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim s favour
(vv.8-12).
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Let
us now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 84: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. “For the Leader; upon the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
2. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - LORD of hosts!
3. My soul yearneth, yea,
even pineth for the courts of יְהוָה - the LORD; my heart and
my flesh sing for joy unto the living אֱלֹהִים.
4. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young;
Thine altars, O צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - LORD of hosts, my
King, and my אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim.
5. Happy are they that dwell in Thy house, they are
ever praising Thee. Selah
6. Happy is the man whose strength is in Thee; in
whose heart are the highways.
7. Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a
place of springs; yea, the early rain clotheth it
with blessings.
8. They go from strength to strength,
every one of them appeareth before אֱלֹהִים in Zion.
9. O צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - LORD Elohim of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O אֱלֹהִים of Jacob. Selah.
10. Behold, O אֱלֹהִים our shield, and look upon the face of Thine anointed.
11. For a day in Thy courts is better than a
thousand; I had rather stand at the threshold of the house of my אֱלֹהִים, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
12. For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim is a sun and a shield; יְהוָה - the LORD giveth grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold
from them that walk uprightly.
13. O אֱלֹהִים - LORD of hosts,
happy is the man that trusteth in Thee”.
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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ with explanations:
Verse 1. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O יְהוָה - LORD of hosts!”
Explanation: A declaration of admiration for God’s temple; “dwelling place” expresses the psalmist’s sense that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence makes a place supremely desirable.
Verse 2. “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of יְהוָה - the LORD…”
Explanation: The whole person, ‘soul’, ‘heart’, ‘flesh’, expresses intense spiritual hunger; this is not casual preference but deep yearning.
Verse 3. “Even the sparrow finds a home…”
Explanation: Small birds finding shelter at the altars symbolize that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sanctuary is a place of refuge and provision even for the lowly.
Verse 4. “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!”
Explanation: Blessedness is linked to continual worship; dwelling in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s house implies ongoing relationship, not a one-time visit.
Verse 5. “Blessed are those whose strength is in you…”
Explanation: True strength is rooted in אֱלֹהִים; the “highways to Zion” suggest the pilgrim routes, spiritual pathways that lead to worship.
Verse 6. “As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs…”
Explanation: Hard places on the pilgrimage become sources of refreshment when אֱלֹהִים is trusted; imagery of rain and pools signals divine provision.
Verse 7. “They go from strength to strength; each appears before אֱלֹהִים in Zion.”
Explanation: A picture of spiritual progress: worshipers grow and repeatedly come into אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence with increasing vitality.
Verse 8. “O צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - LORD of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O אֱלֹהִים of Jacob!”
Explanation: A turn to petition, confidence that the אֱלֹהִים who rules the heavenly hosts listens to the pilgrim’s plea.
Verse 9. “Behold our shield, O אֱלֹהִים; look on the face of your anointed!”
Explanation: A plea for protection and favour, possibly invoking the king or אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’s
chosen as representative of the people.
Verse 10. “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.”
Explanation: Hyperbolic praise: even brief time in אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’s
presence outweighs long enjoyment of worldly comforts.
Verse 11. “For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim is a sun and shield…”
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים is both provider and protector; he gives grace and honour to those who walk blamelessly, an ethical call tied to Divine blessing.
Verse 12. “O יְהוָה - LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”
Explanation: The Psalm closes with a succinct theological summary: trust in אֱלֹהִים - blessing, the pilgrim’s final affirmation.
My Closing message:
Psalm 84 invites us to cultivate a longing for אֱלֹהִים, to see trials as part of the pilgrimage, and to root our strength in worship and trust. Practically: prioritize regular times of worship, view hardships as opportunities for spiritual refreshment, and remember that presence with אֱלֹהִים is the soul’s highest good.
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you,
saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of
hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem;
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the
LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel
- Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
“The More Torah, the
More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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