I. THE SAINT'S ASPIRATION (r-4). I. The Ecstatic Exclamation (r). "Thy Tabernacles." 2. The Exalted Ambition (2 ). The Temple Courts. 3. The Expressive Illustration (3a). The Birds. 4. The Emphatic Confession (3b). The Temple Altars. 5. The Encouraging Benediction (4). "Thy House." Happy the Priestly Ministrants. Selah. II. THE SAINT'S APPROACH (5-8). I. The Encouraging Benediction (5 ). Happy the Pilgrim Worshippers. 2. The Exiles' Progression (6-7). Pilgrims' Progress. 3. The Earnest Supplication (8). "Hear my prayer." Selah. ill. THE SAINT'S ARRIVAL (9-12). r. The Earnest Supplication (9). "Behold our Shield." 2. The Enlightening Declaration ( ro ). "For." (Reason for I.). 3. The Exultant Explanation (n). "For." (Reason for II.). 4. The Encouraging Benediction (12). Happy the Pious Soul. SUPERSCRIPT.-A Psalm of (or, for) the sons ofKorah. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Composer and occasion 'unknown, but that it belongs to the period of th½ monarchy, and while the temple was yet standing, is shown by verse 9., The psalm is a companion to xlii.-xliii., having the same structure of three stanzas, but divided by "Selah" ( see Introduction V.) instead of refrains. It may have originated in the same circumstances. Pss. xlii.-xliii.-Sadness at being· debarred from access to the Sanctuary; lxxxiv.-Gladness at the privilege of access to the Sanctuary; c£ also Pss. lxi., lxiii. and xxvii. For the sup¤rscript, see xliv. notes. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Shows the godly remnant of Israel in exile in the last days, yet happy in the anticipation of reaching their national home. Note that Messiah is now the link with God not the Law, which the nation had broken.
PERSONAL APPUCATION.-God Hin1self is the true goal of godly souls (2). Devout Israelites associated inward communion with outward aids. The Christian does not, need the latter, yet in the assemblies of the saints God's presence may be realised in a special way, c£ Matt. xviii. 20. Divine grace shelters all who seek refuge in the presence of God, though they may be worthless as sparrows (Luke xii. 6) and wandering as swallows (3). The world is no place for the saint to build his nest (3). Praise is the ·overflowing joy of the soul conscious of the true source of its blessing (4). Let us qualify for the threefold happiness mentioned here (4, 5, 12). As the rains transform an eastern wilderness, so the Spirit of God transforms this world-wilderness in the path of His saints ( 6). Sorrows are transmutable into blessings; faith finds a source of refreshment even in the deepest valley ( 6). -Cod preserves His pilgrims from fainting and falling. As they journey step by step, fresh strength is given ( 7) ; c£ Isa. xl. 3 1. Everyone will reach his destination ( 7b). There is grace for evecy step of the way and glory at the end of it ( 1 I). It is because God looks upon the face of His Anointed that the believer finds acceptance (9) ; c£ Eph. i. 6. Any servic_e that keeps us near Him should be welcome (10). The sun that scorches the stubble heals the sick (11a with Mal. iv. 1-2). The One who is our Sun and Shield affords all we need of light and protection in this life (II). Grace is connected with the shield, glory with the sun (n). Be fully persuaded of the truth stressed in 11bc. ·no we love the presence of God and thÐ fellowship of saints ( 10) ? The saint finds security, strength and serenity in God. VERSE NOTES 1. "How lovely (or, lovable) .. . "; "tabernacles," Heb. plur. of majesty or magnitude, or may be allusion to the many buildings, that composed the whole structure. 2. "soul ... heart ... flesh," = intensity of the whole being; "Living God" = E.l Chay. He is the final object of desire. To the Israelite His presence was associated only with His place. 3. There seems little doubt that in this verse "Yea ... young," should be in parenthesis, the words "even Thine altars ... " following on verse 2 in expansion of the expressed desire. Otherwise an ellipsis may be understood, "Even (so have I found) Thine .. .'' It is a fact of history that -small birds found sanctuary in the temple precincts. The nesting expresses complete confidence of safety; even birds offer suited testimony to the Creator's care. "altars," i.e. (a) the brazen
·2II altar, typical of Christ crucified-Expiation of sin, and (b) the golden altar, typical of Christ risen-Iutercession for saints. 4. C£ 1 Chron. ix. 33. 5-7. Note interesting structure (Introversion); 5a corresponds to 7b, 5b to 7a, 6a to 6b. 5. "Blessed" = happy, so 4 and 12; (b) i.e. those whose minds were set upon the pilgrimage to Zion and therefore prepared to surmount all obstacles to get th CC• Th ,,, h h cc II J h ah' ere; m ee, ,.e. w atever t e circumstances; ways, ,.e. e ov s. 6. "Vale of Baca" is certainly figurative and possibly literal. Heb. is derived fyom a root meaning "to weep" but the word is nowhere translated "weeping"; prob. re£ to a balsam tree exuding "tears" of gum and growing in arid places, the presence of such trees giving name to a vale on the highway to Jerusalem; yet there seems to be an intentional connection with weeping. (b) R.V. correct. Graphic picture of the transformation of scene in Eastern lands after heavy showers. So faith ever finds refreshment in trials, for God always responds with showers of blessing. The path to His presence may lead through a vale of tears, but the saint's desires are fulfilled ( 7). 7. I.e. at every step their strength increases. 8. Note titles. "God of Hosts" speaks of power; "God of Jacob" speaks of grace. 9. R.V.m. preserves the Heb. paralld; "shield"= the king as God's representative and protector of the people; c£ lxxxix. 18. The poet regards himself as leader of the pilgrim band and so prays; they seek audience upon arrival at the temple. (b) i.e. graciously accept him and in him accept us. The welfare of the nation was bound up with that of such rulers as David, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. 10. "better . . . thousand," i.e. spent elsewhere; (b) note R.V.m.; c£ work of the Korhites, esp. Heman and his sons; remembering also their history. Now they are not seeking the nearness of the priesthood, but are content to perform the humblest service, satisfied at last with their divinely appointed lot. "tents of wickedness" alludes to Num. xvi. 26; prophetic of apostate Jewry; "house," a d Ilin b d permanent we g; tent, a temporary a o e. 11. As the sun is this world's light and life, so is God to His people.
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