Psalm 84

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!… a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” (Psalm 84:1, 10)

Psalm 84 was probably sung on behalf of pilgrims, either at the beginning of their journey or upon their arrival at the temple. It explicitly confesses the blessed state of “those . . . who have set their hearts on pilgrimage” (v. 5, the Hb. text here is somewhat unclear, but the NIV presents a reasonable interpretation). As they pass through various regions “till each appears before God in Zion,” they require strength to make the pilgrim journey (vv. 6–7). Although this blessing seems to encourage hope for the anticipated journey, the opening descriptions of the temple (vv. 1–4) imply the temple is now in sight. The reference to “appearing before God” may help us to be more specific about the location of this psalm in Israel’s liturgical calendar. This phrase is used repeatedly in connection with the three annual pilgrimage festivals (Exod. 23:15, 17; 34:23–24; Deut. 16:16; cf. Isa. 1:12).

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