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Psalm 84 | King James Audio Bible
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Psalm 84 expresses human yearning for divine presence.
The psalm begins with an exclamation of admiration: ‘How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!’ The term ‘tabernacles’ here refers to the sacred dwelling places of God. The psalmist’s words convey awe and reverence for the sanctuaries where God is believed to reside. This opening sets the tone for a poetic exploration of the soul’s yearning for proximity to the sacred.
‘My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord,’ declares the psalmist. The language is evocative, conveying depth of yearning that goes beyond desire—it is a soulful craving. The heart and flesh join in a unified cry for the living God, highlighting the holistic nature of this spiritual longing that encompasses both the innermost being and the tangible reality of human existence.
The imagery in the psalm is striking, portraying the sparrow finding a dwelling and the swallow building a nest near the altars of the Lord. These humble creatures become symbols of the psalmist’s longing, finding solace and security in God. The blessing is pronounced upon those who dwell in God’s house, recognizing their perpetual praise and proximity to God.
‘Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee,’ proclaims the psalmist, shifting the focus to the inherent strength found in divine connection. The psalm becomes a celebration of the transformative power of dwelling in God’s presence. The journey is symbolic, with valleys turning into wellsprings, and strength growing from one level to another as the pilgrim progresses towards the divine sanctuary.
The psalmist contemplates the value of a day spent in the courts of God, expressing a preference for even the humblest role within God’s house over dwelling in the tents of wickedness. Here, the contrast is vivid—fleeting allure of worldly comforts pales in comparison to the enduring richness of divine communion.
The psalm concludes with acknowledgment of God as a sun and shield, a source of grace and glory. The psalmist declares that no good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly before God. Trust in divine providence becomes the foundation of blessedness.
Psalm 84 | King James Audio Bible KJV | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
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.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
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.
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.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalm 84 | King James Audio Bible KJV | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
- Yearning For Divine Presence: Psalm 84 articulates a deep and fervent longing for communion with the living God, portraying the soul’s intense desire for proximity to the divine.
- Sacred Sanctuaries: Imagery of tabernacles and courts underscores the reverence for the sacred dwelling places of the Lord, emphasizing their beauty and desirability.
- Symbolism Of Nature: Psalm 84 employs the imagery of sparrows and swallows finding shelter near God’s altars, symbolizing the soul’s quest for security and solace in the divine presence.
- Blessing Of God’s House: Blessings are pronounced upon those who dwell in God’s house, highlighting the perpetual praise and favored status of those in close communion with the sacred.
- Transformative Strength: Psalm 84 reflects on the strength derived from God, suggesting that dwelling in the divine presence leads to a transformative journey where valleys become wellsprings, and strength progresses from one level to another.
- Valuing Divine Connection: The psalmist expresses a profound preference for even the humblest role within God’s house over dwelling in the tents of wickedness, emphasizing the enduring richness of divine communion over worldly comforts.
- Metaphorical Pilgrimage: Psalm 84 portrays a metaphorical pilgrimage towards the divine sanctuary, where each step brings the pilgrim closer to the transformative power and blessings found in God’s presence.
- Divine Providence: Psalm 84 concludes with a profound acknowledgment of the Lord as a sun and shield, highlighting trust in divine providence. The assurance is given that no good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly before God.
King James Audio Bible | KJV | King James Version King Herod There were several individuals named Herod who played significant roles in ancient history, particularly in the history of the Roman Empire and the region of Palestine. Here is a brief overview of the most notable Herods: Herod the Great: Also known as Herod I, he was a Roman client king of Judea, ruling from 37 BC to 4 BC. He is perhaps most famous for his role in the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, in which it is said that he ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. Herod Antipas: Also known as Herod II, he was the son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea, two regions in Palestine, from 4 BC to 39 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned John the Baptist and later had him beheaded. Herod Agrippa I: Also known as Herod III, he was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned the apostle Paul. Herod Agrippa II: Also known as Herod IV, he was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over parts of Palestine and Syria from 50 to 100 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who heard Paul’s defence before the Roman governor Festus. These rulers, who were known as the Herodian dynasty, were not Jewish but rather descended from a Greek family that had converted to Judaism. Despite this, they were appointed as rulers by the Roman Empire and were generally unpopular among the Jewish population due to their collaboration with the Roman occupation and their often brutal methods of rule. Herod The Great Herod the Great, also known as Herod I, was a Roman client king of Judea who ruled from 37 BC to 4 BC. He was born in 73 BC in Idumea, a region in southern Palestine, and was the son of Antipater the Idumean, an Edomite who had been appointed as a governor of Judea by the Roman general Pompey. Herod rose to power after the Roman general Julius Caesar appointed him as king of Judea in 40 BC. He consolidated his power over the next few years by defeating his rivals and establishing himself as the undisputed ruler of the region. As king, Herod embarked on a massive building program that included the expansion and renovation of the Temple in Jerusalem, the construction of the port city of Caesarea Maritima, and the fortification of several cities in Judea. He also commissioned the construction of a number of palaces and other buildings, including the famous Herodium, a palace-fortress located south of Jerusalem. Despite his many accomplishments, Herod was a controversial figure who was known for his harsh rule and his willingness to use violence to maintain his power. He was married several times and had a large number of children, several of whom he had executed when they posed a threat to his rule. One of the most famous stories associated with Herod is the biblical account of the birth of Jesus, in which it is said that he ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus was saved by his parents, who fled to Egypt, and later returned to Palestine after Herod’s death. Herod died in 4 BC at the age of 70, leaving a legacy as one of the most significant rulers in the history of ancient Palestine. Herod Antipas Herod Antipas, also known as Herod II, was the son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea, two regions in Palestine, from 4 BC to 39 AD. He was born in 20 BC and was named after his father’s patron, the Roman emperor Augustus. Like his father, Herod Antipas was known for his ambitious building projects, including the construction of the city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee and the expansion of the Temple in Jerusalem. He was also known for his political cunning and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of the Roman Empire. Herod Antipas is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned John the Baptist, a prominent religious figure who criticized Herod’s marriage to his sister-in-law, Herodias. According to the New Testament, John was eventually beheaded at the request of Herodias’ daughter, Salome, who danced for Herod and his guests at a banquet. Herod Antipas is also mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who oversaw the trial and execution of Jesus. Although he initially wanted to release Jesus, he ultimately handed him over to the Roman authorities at the urging of the Jewish religious leaders. Herod Antipas’ rule came to an end in 39 AD when the Roman emperor Caligula exiled him to Gaul, modern-day France. He died in exile a few years later. Herod Agrippa I Herod Agrippa I, also known as Herod III, was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He was born in 10 BC and was the son of Aristobulus and Bernice, two of Herod the Great’s children. Herod Agrippa I was well-educated and fluent in both Greek and Hebrew, and he was highly regarded by the Roman authorities for his loyalty and his ability to maintain order in Judea. He was appointed as king of Judea in 41 AD by the Roman emperor Claudius, who was impressed by his abilities and saw him as a reliable ally in the region. As king, Herod Agrippa I continued the building projects of his grandfather and expanded the Temple in Jerusalem. He also implemented a number of reforms aimed at improving the lives of the […]
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