Psalm 84 (83):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When I consider your small gathering and observe our numbers diminishing at each assembly, I experience both sorrow and joy: joy for those of you present, and sorrow for those absent. You deserve commendation for your commitment despite the small numbers, while I lament those who remain indifferent and lack your fervor. Thus, I proclaim you blessed, for you have not suffered from the negligence of others; in contrast, I grieve for those who have missed out on the enthusiasm you embody.

This psalm is titled, “For the sharpened.” As you have observed, dear ones, I have noted your attentiveness; nothing in the text mentions any pressing equipment, wine containers, or any tools related to lathes. Hence, the meaning of this title is not simple. Had the text followed the title with references to such tools, the carnal would likely interpret this as a song about tangible lathes. Yet, since the title is present without further mention of those familiar lathes, I believe the Spirit of God intends for us to seek a deeper meaning of the “lathes” discussed here. Let us then recall the operations of visible mills and reflect on their spiritual application within the Church. The grapes dangle from their vines, and olives grow on their trees. Generally, presses are made for these two fruits, and while they remain on their branches, they exist in a state of freedom, unpressed, just as those whom God foreordained to be conformed to the likeness of His only Son, Romans 8:29, who was first and foremost pressed during His Passion. Individuals destined for service to God often relish a type of sweet liberty in their worldly existence, akin to hanging grapes or olives. However, as it is written, “My son, when thou art approaching the service of God, stand in judgement and fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation” (Sirach 2:1). Hence, anyone who approaches God’s service discovers they have reached the sharpener; they will encounter afflictions, be broken, and endure oppression, not for destruction in this life but to enter into God’s treasures. The veils of worldly desires are stripped away as the skin is removed from grapes; regarding worldly passions, the Apostle advises us to “Put off the old man, and put on the new” (Ephesians 4:22–24). Each is transformed through pressure, which is why the Churches of God today are referred to as sharpeners.

But who occupies these sharpeners? The sons of Korah. The designation has been interpreted as the sons of the bald, as far as those familiar with this language can explain it, reflecting their service to God. Under pressure, we find ourselves broken, enabling us to shift our love from temporal, unstable, and perishable things to seek a rest that is not found in this life or on earth. The Lord becomes, as described, the refuge of the impoverished. Who is a poor man? One who is devoid of help, support, or resources upon which to rely in this earthly existence. To such a one, God is present. Although some abound in material wealth, they are often more filled with fear than joy. What is more unstable than wealth that cannot stay still? While currency possesses value, it is transient. Therefore, those who possess wealth are spiritually poor. Those without it but holding the desire for it also find themselves among the rejected rich, for God judges not by strength but by intention. The truly poor are stripped of worldly abundance; although it surrounds them, they recognize its fleeting nature. Crying to God, they have nothing in this world to comfort them. Under relentless pressures and temptations like those within a lathe, they transform, becoming oil or wine. What do these represent, but noble desires? God remains their sole desire; now they do not cherish earthly things. They love the Creator of heaven and earth. Their desire is deferred that it may grow; it expands so that it may attain its object. For what God bestows upon the desiring heart is not trifling, and it requires considerable effort to prepare oneself for such a magnificent blessing—God does not give all that He has created but gives Himself, who is the Creator of all things. Train yourself to receive God, for that which you shall possess eternally requires prolonged desire...

Therefore, beloved, let each person make vows and offer to the Lord as they are able. Let no one glance backward; let no one find comfort in past interests; let no one divert their attention from what lies ahead. Let them run until they arrive, for our journey is not undertaken in physical steps but in desire. Yet, let no person claim to have reached the destination while in this life, for who among us is as perfect as Paul? Philippians 3:13 Nevertheless, he states, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended.”

When worldly passions strike, even in moments of joy, recognize that you are in the grindstone. If the world presents happiness, imagine yourself in the grinding process, exclaiming: “I have found distress and heaviness, and I have called upon the name of the Lord,” for that is not a trivial trouble, hidden from some who believe themselves happy in their distance from God. As it is written, “While we are in the body, we are far from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6). What if you were absent from your father and felt content? Some believe themselves thriving. Yet, those who understand that despite abundance of wealth and pleasure, while all else may fall in line with their wishes and nothing unpleasant threatens them, acknowledge their plight when separated from the Lord. With keen insight, they perceive trouble and distress and call upon the name of the Lord. Thus, the psalmist sings. Who is he? The body of Christ. Who might you be? All of us, as the Body of Christ is one. How lovely are Your dwellings, O Lord of Hosts, Psalm 83:1. He dwelt in one bush, symbolizing the sharpener, yet He yearned for other bushes free from pressure; from this longing, He seemed to flow toward them through the channel of desire.

And what follows? “My soul thirsts and longs for the courts of the Lord” (Psalm 83:2). It is not enough that it strives and fails. Why does it fail? For the courts of the Lord. When grapes are pressed, they may seem to fail, but for what end? To become wine, to flow into the vat, and be stored in silence. Here it is cherished; there it is received: here sighed over; there rejoiced in; here prayed for; there praised; here groaned; there exalted. Let none who are present feel ashamed of what has been mentioned or shy away from suffering, for there exists peril that those grapes fearing the sharpener will be devoured by birds or wild beasts...

You have heard the groaning within the winepress; “My soul languishes and longs for the courts of the Lord.” Listen to how it remains steadfast, rejoicing in hope: “My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.” It was here that they rejoiced. From where does such joy arise if not from hope? In whom do you find your joy? In the living God? What prompted their joy? Because, as he continues, “The sparrow has found a home, and the turtledove a nest for her young” (Psalm 83:3). These two symbols, coupled with the two figures of birds mentioned, reflect the heart and flesh—heart akin to the sparrow, flesh akin to the turtledove. The sparrow discovers a home; my heart discovers a home. It flaps its wings in the virtues of this life—faith, hope, and charity—through which it can ascend to its true home. When it arrives, the sorrowful cry of the sparrow will cease. For that lamenting sparrow is one also referred to when another psalm states, “Like a sparrow alone on the rooftop.” The sparrow, perched upon the rooftop, takes flight towards home. Let it dwell on the roof, trampling its earthly abode; it shall come to have a heavenly and eternal dwelling—this sparrow will no longer lament. The dove has a calf, that is, flesh; it too has found a nest to lay her young. The sparrow has its home, while the dove finds a temporary shelter for her brood. The house is chosen for eternity; the nest is constructed for a season: with the heart, we contemplate God, as if the sparrow has flown home; with the flesh, we perform good deeds. Consider how many good works flow from the lives of the saints—by this, we fulfill the commands placed upon us in this world. “Break your bread for the hungry man, and bring the poor and homeless into your house; and if you see a man naked, clothe him” (Isaiah 58:7) and other such commands are accomplished solely through the flesh...

We note, brethren, how many appear to perform good works outside the Church; how many of the Gentiles feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick, comfort the imprisoned. Many engage in such acts; however, a dove gives birth to chicks but finds no nest. How many works can heretics perform without the Church? They do not place their young in a nest, and they will be trampled and crushed; they will not find sanctuary or protection... The faith of your heart is your nest; do your good works within that space. For it is clear what these nests represent. When stating, “The dove has found a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,” had you asked, "What is this nest?" The psalmist replies that “Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, are my King and my God.” What is my King and my God? You who govern me, you who created me.

even if he would be regarded as among the least in that place, for it is more exalted and desirable to be considered least there than to be foremost in the sinful realms of this life. Yet he accepted the wait, finding joy in his presence there and valuing a brief share in those blessings over countless years, believing as it is written, “better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” He was not troubled by the inevitable nature of current circumstances and deemed it adequate to satisfy others by relying on future hope.

How much more valuable is a single day in Your presence than a thousand elsewhere. The phrase "in Your courts" refers to the day of the Savior's resurrection, which takes place within the context of the Church. By "thousands"—or "a thousand," as noted in the Hebrew version—He references the earlier priestly ministry that existed for a millennium, starting with Solomon, who established the Divine Temple, and lasting until the arrival of the Savior. This illustrates the profound excellence of the gospel ministry in comparison to the earlier temple ministry. It implies that I would prefer to be humble and inconspicuous within the Church rather than prominent among a sinful populace. This sentiment pertains to the Jews who were exiled to Babylon but holds relevance for us as well. Just as they were reminded through the Spirit’s grace not to overlook their separation from God’s dwelling, we too are encouraged to cherish the places dedicated to God and to long for communion within them.

Consider the phrase “one day.” Some interpret this to mean that even a brief stay in the Kingdom of Heaven is preferable to possessing everything in this earthly life. While this understanding is valid, let us reflect on the notion that if someone were to spend just one day in the heavenly realm before being cast out, the author of the psalm could rightly proclaim, “It is better to have one day in your courts.” When referring to “one day,” the implication is that the Kingdom of Heaven is eternal light, without night or darkness. Consequently, anyone who has experienced that place for just one day remains there forever.

"How much better is one in Your courts than thousands." Your people, who benefit from Your guidance, continually seek Your temple, receiving great blessings in return. The rewards harvested in one day here are far greater than what could be gathered elsewhere over countless days. This sentiment was fitting for the captives in Babylon, who were compelled to endure the company of the wicked without any advantage. They reminisced about the past blessings of the Divine Temple, expressing, "I would rather reside in the house of my God than dwell among sinful communities." Such is the honor of God's house to me that I find it preferable to be humble and lie at its gates than to spend my time in the prosperous and extravagant homes of those living in transgression.

How greatly superior is a single day in Your presence compared to countless days elsewhere. The divine courts mentioned refer to the churches of Christ, underscoring David's sentiment that even a brief time in the house of the Lord is far more valuable than a multitude of days spent in secular or unholy places. The conjunction “for” suggests affirmation. Eusebius interprets that one day in God’s courts symbolizes the day of Jesus’ resurrection, while the thousands represent the extensive ministry under the law. This duration spans from Solomon’s reign until the arrival of Christ, highlighting the vast difference between the gospel and the old covenant. Another interpretation posits that one day in the coming eternal age, free from night, surpasses a thousand years in the present life.

The prophet refers to God's courts as Bethlehem, the cross, and the resurrection. A single day spent in any of these places surpasses thousands elsewhere. What has been achieved for humanity since the dawn of creation finds fulfillment in Christ's birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Thus, in praising these holy courts, the prophet declares, ‘I preferred rather to be cast down at the house of my God than to dwell in the houses of sinners.’ He expresses a preference for being among the lowly and marginalized in these courts rather than residing in the synagogues of the Jews, which have now become merely places for those who transgress the law.

Individuals yearn for a splendid and prosperous dwelling. You aspire to reside "in the house of God, which is the church of the living God... and to be a fellow citizen, holy and of God" (1 Tim. 3:15, Eph. 2:19). This embodies the Christian aspiration! It represents a glorious, eternal home! "Lord! Who shall abide in Your sanctuary? Or who shall reside on Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not lend his money at usury, nor takes a bribe against the innocent.

I would prefer to humbly prostrate myself at the house of the Lord rather than enjoy a life of comfort and pleasure among the homes of the wicked. This is a well-known sentiment. Was it not due to his profound affection for the house of God and his steadfast humility that he chose to avoid the dwellings of sinners and their fleeting pleasures? Conversely, is it not true that many among us feel indifferent to the house of God, leading us to embrace the allure of the sinful places filled with vanity and carnal enjoyment? Consider this, eternal soul: the dwellings of sinners will ultimately face destruction, decay, or be engulfed in the flames of hell, while the house of God and those who reside in and cherish it will be brought to heaven.

Many individuals in the world live without purpose, seeking primarily longevity. In response, David declares his intention to focus on the end of life solely to serve God. He recognizes that it is far better to spend even a single day at the threshold of His sanctuary than to reside for an extended period amidst the unrighteous, who are ignorant of divine worship. Since entry to the temple was restricted to the priests, David demonstrates his willingness to be satisfied simply by standing in the entrance of the temple. The Hebrew text powerfully articulates this sentiment: I have chosen to abide at the abode of my God rather than to dwell among the communities of the wicked. This analogy highlights the Prophet's profound humility, as if he were stating that he would prefer the most humble position in God's house over being esteemed among the ungodly. Such a remarkable example of devotion!

This psalm, authored by David, was entrusted to the chief singer, the son of Kore, for the purpose of singing. In this composition, the prophet, having experienced exile and tribulation, fervently expresses his longing to return to Jerusalem in order to visit the Sacred Tabernacle. The prophet refers to the churches as such because they yield the spiritual fruit of faith. Within this psalm are encapsulated the sorrows, difficulties, and afflictions of the faithful who endure for Christ's sake, who are suffering greatly, and who earnestly seek to leave this sorrowful place for the heavenly tabernacle that the Lord has established, crafted by divine hands rather than human (Heb. 8:2).

The expressions through which the Psalmist conveys his affection for the Church are profoundly significant: ‘How much better is one day in Thy courts than thousands; I have chosen to dwell in the house of my God rather than to dwell in sinful villages.’ The first phrase is echoed by a pagan author in his writings, while the second stands out for its depth of meaning. It indicates a preference for being rejected by the world, treated as mere refuse or worthless, rather than having any distance from the Holy Church.