Psalm 84 (83):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This psalm is labeled ‘For the sharpener.’ As you have discerned, dear friends, nothing within its verses refers to any kind of mill, winepress, vat, or tools resembling a lathe. The absence of these references suggests that the title is not merely a straightforward indication related to physical lathes. Had it discussed these aspects, those inclined towards earthly interpretations might mistakenly conclude it pertains to tangible lathes. However, the title invites us to explore deeper meanings intended by the Holy Spirit. Let us draw parallels between visible mills and their spiritual counterparts within the Church. Just as grapes hang from vines and olives from trees, these fruits symbolize the processes by which we come to be purified. Typically, presses are fashioned for these two fruits, and while they remain on their branches, they enjoy the freedom of air, just as humans, designated by God before time began to be molded into the likeness of His only-begotten Son (Romans 8:29), initially bask in an allure of worldly liberty, akin to grapes or olives. Yet, as Scripture advises, "My son, when you are about to serve God, stand in fear and prepare your soul for temptation" (Sirach 2:1). Thus, anyone who approaches divine service invariably encounters the sharpener, facing afflictions, trials, and oppression—not for their destruction but to access the treasures of God. The veils of earthly desires are stripped away from them, similar to the skins of grapes, rendering visible their carnal lusts as highlighted by the Apostle: "Put off the old man and put on the new man." This transformation comes by way of pressure, which is why the contemporary Churches of God are identified as sharpeners.

Who, then, are we who find ourselves in these sharpeners? The sons of Korah are designated, and that designation, “tochilam,” refers to them as sons of the bald, as far as our understanding of the language allows. Under duress, we undergo a molding that, through our yearning for worldly and transient pleasures, enables us to endure the pains, pressures, and numerous temptations of this life and propels our search for rest that is neither found in this life nor on this earth. The Lord becomes, as it is written, the refuge of the afflicted. Indeed, a poor man is one who lacks help, support, or anything to rely on in this earthly realm. While the affluent may possess material wealth, they remain deeply burdened with anxieties rather than joy. What can be more transient than possessions? Their instability renders those who have them poor, while even those lacking such riches yet longing for them may be counted among the condemned. God values the intent of the heart over mere possessions; therefore, the truly poor realize the fleeting nature of the world's offerings. Crying out to God in their absence of comfort, bearing the weight of overwhelming pressures and temptations, like those undergoing the refining process, they transform into good desires—seeking God as their ultimate fulfillment. Their love no longer clings to the earth, for they cherish the Creator of heaven and earth, desiring Him more than anything else. Their longing is intentionally prolonged—to increase it until fulfillment arises. For God promises great rewards to those who seek Him diligently; exercising ourselves is required to attain such immense grace—the eternal goodness of God Himself, which we shall desire for an eternity.

Therefore, beloved, as each can, let us make vows and offer to the Lord what we are able: let no one look back or cling to past comforts, nor turn from what lies ahead to what is behind, but let him run towards the goal, for we pursue not with our legs but with our longing. Yet let no man in this life claim he has arrived, for who among us can match the perfection of Paul? (Philippians 3:13) He himself professed that he did not regard himself as having attained. If you feel the passions of this world even in your happiness, acknowledge that you are in the grindstone. Thus, when the world appears benevolent, picture yourself at the grindstone and declare, "I have encountered trials and burdens, and I have called upon the name of the Lord." Even when stating that he found insignificant troubles concealed, he recognized some sufferings escape the notice of those who believe themselves joyful while estranged from God. For as he points out, “while we are in the body, we are away from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6). Were you to be distanced from your earthly father, true despair would overtake you; how much greater is it to be without the Lord? Some find contentment in their superficial state, yet those who perceive their plight amidst abundance realize they are absent from the Lord and, with clear insight, recognize the burdensome nature of their existence and thus call upon the Lord. This is the essence of the one who sings this psalm, the Body of Christ. It is you, if you desire, and it encompasses all of us collectively, for there is but one Body of Christ. "How lovely are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts" (Psalm 82:1). He was found in one tabernacle, the sharpened bush; yet He yearned for others free from pressure, sighing for these, flowing toward them through longing desire.

What then? "My soul yearns and sighs for the courts of the Lord" (Psalm 83:2). The desire for the courts propels such a longing; when grapes are pressed, they are crushed, but for the intent of yielding wine, flowing into the vat and being stored quietly. Here it is desired, and there it is received: here sighs, and there joy; here prayers, and there praises; here groans, and there exultation. Let none among you allow shame about these truths, nor resist the call to suffer. There exists a risk that those afraid of the sharpening may be unfit for consumption by the creatures of the air.

You have heard the groaning from the winepress: "my soul languishes and longs for the courts of the Lord"—observe how it clings in hope: "my heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God." Here lies the source of their joy; what brings joy if not hope? What were they rejoicing in? In the living God. In what have you found your joy? In your heart and flesh. Why did they rejoice? Because, as he observes, "the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself" (Psalm 83:3). Two elements he mentions, mirroring two forms of birds: the heart likened to the sparrow, the flesh akin to the dove. The sparrow has discovered a dwelling: my heart has secured its dwelling. It flits through the virtues of this life—faith, hope, charity—capturing the ability to soar to its eternal abode: once reaching that destination, it shall find rest; no longer shall it bear the lamenting voice of the sparrow trapped here. It reflects upon the same sorrowful sparrow spoken of in another psalm, "As a sparrow alone on the rooftop." From the edges of the world, the sparrow returns, soaring from its earthly encampment to a heavenly home—the eternal residence which concludes its grief. The dove is granted a nest for her young; she finds sanctuary to raise her chicks. The sparrow possesses a home, whereas the dove cherishes a nest; a dwelling signifies everlasting intent, while the nest serves a temporary purpose. With our hearts, we contemplate God, akin to how the sparrow takes flight to its home. With our flesh, we perform acts of goodness, exemplifying the manifold deeds realized through the actions of saints—fulfilling commanded deeds like feeding the famished or welcoming the homeless (Isaiah 58:7). However, many undertake good works outside the Church, for there are individuals—gentiles even—who still help the hungry, clothe the naked, receive strangers, tend to the sick, or console the imprisoned. And yet, how many among heretics accomplish such work within the Church—they may perform commendable deeds but will not secure their young in the protective embrace of the nest. They risk being trampled and crushed, reckoning their efforts unguarded and unreconciled.

Within this faith lies your chick; that nest is where your works reside. The significance of these nests is self-evident. When it states, "And the dove has found a nest for herself, where she may lay her chicks," it prompts the question: what is the nest? "Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, are my King and my God." Who is my King and my God? He who reigns over me and created me. Blessed are those who inhabit your house (Psalm 83:4). Should you claim your own dwelling, you are impoverished; but in possession of God’s house, you are enriched. In your own home, anxiety about robbery exists; yet in God’s abode, He serves as a fortress. Therefore, blessed are those who dwell in your house, as they possess the heavenly Jerusalem without strife or impediments; all are equally embraced and enriched. The wealth is abundant, for there is no crowding among brethren—no one competes for advancement. In that realm, what will their pursuits entail? For among humanity, necessity breeds all endeavors. I have previously stated, brethren, reflect upon all your undertakings and determine if necessity is the sole catalyst for them. Even the noblest of endeavors—be it the oratory arts or healing professions—require a need from which to spring. Absent litigants, what use is a lawyer? Remove maladies, and what purpose serves a physician? Daily life’s duties are governed by necessity. Should hunger, thirst, or unclothed bodies vanish, who would require these tasks? For instance, "break bread for the hungry" is a call to action—it necessitates the existence of the hungry. How may you welcome the homeless unless they exist? What sick one may you visit in a land of eternal health? What litigants shall you conciliate where everlasting peace reigns? None of the honorable and common undertakings will persist; the fledglings, the young swallows, would depart the nest.

What then? You have stated what awaits us; "Blessed are they that dwell in your house." Now enlighten me about their pursuits, as I perceive no demands pressing me onward. Will there be need for instruction or reminders in that realm? Will the Gospel be cherished in a land where one can directly behold the living God? There, our entire duty will be unending praise. Do not assume, dear brethren, that weariness will emerge in that place; the struggles we encounter in this life stem from distractions derived from necessity interrupting our joy. If the unseen does not incite elation here, how shall we extol what is visibly present? When death devours the victory, when this mortality has clothed itself with immortality (1 Corinthians 15:54), none would utter, "I have endured for a long time"; none would lament, "I have fasted long"; none would say, "I have watched long." Our endurance will be profound, and our immortal beings will be invigorated in the contemplation of God. If the word now shared with you manages to sustain your fragile nature for an extended duration, what transformations await under the influence of overwhelming joy? We will become like Him, as we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). In becoming like Him, will we encounter distractions? Brethren, our praise of God’s magnificence and love will never reach completion. If love could falter, so too could praise. However, when love is eternal and beauty unfathomable, fear not, even should you struggle to maintain your praise for the One you may love consistently. Let us yearn for another life.

O Lord of Hosts, if Your bush is cherished. Some seek material wealth, others pursue the treasures of this world, and still others strive for recognition among humanity. Yet my sole aspiration is to behold Your everlasting bush. These are the cherished dwellings, where virtues abound rather than vices. Alternatively, these serve as the vessels where the spiritual grain is preserved. "Make friends for yourselves of mammon of unrighteousness, that they may receive you into everlasting bushes" (see Luke 16:9). Your bush is adored, O Lord of Hosts. Blessed are the bushes through which humanity rises from earth to heaven.

Thy villages are cherished, O Lord of Hosts. My soul longs and yearns to enter the courts of the Lord. Those who resided in Babylon were encouraged to express such sentiments to kindle a longing for their homeland and a commitment to worship in accordance with divine law. Likewise, we, who have received salvation and are enjoying the blessings within the embrace of God, should be reminded of these truths. This prophecy is particularly relevant to us, as it speaks of many future villages, refers to various furnaces, and mentions numerous altars, while the Jews had only one temple and a single altar.

O Lord of Hosts, O Lord of Hosts! How wonderful is Your name! How generous is God to His people! The communities that David refers to as sacred congregations are where the grace of God resides. O Lord and Sovereign of the Highest! The places of worship among Your believers bring me great joy, for You dwell in them. Regarding God as the Lord of Hosts, Psalm 79 reminds us that this title is understood in the context of the King of Hosts or the Almighty, expressed in a roundabout way.

The communities of the Lord serve not only as sacred spaces and places of worship but also include all individuals who strive to become a dwelling for God through their sanctification, particularly following the advent of Christ, who resides within us through His humanity. This is why John the Theologian stated: "and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Such communities are cherished by God, as He inhabits them, and they are also precious to us, for they provide a pathway to approach the inapproachable God.

O Lord of Hosts, O Lord of Hosts! (Ps. 83:2). This timeless hymn has surely resounded countless times in this, albeit newly renewed, sacred village of the Lord of Hosts. It was reverently chanted by the Church during the holy restoration of this temple. Those who cherished the house of God on earth dearly desired to unite it with their own dwelling under one roof. I wonder if you have observed this yourself, but the Church comforting assumes that each person entering into this house of God inwardly sings this song: for what reason would one not express that "the village is beloved of the Lord of Hosts"? If melodies serve as the sustenance for celebrations, with earthly pleasures providing sensory delight and spiritual joys granting heavenly fulfillment, let us invoke once more a few lines from the magnificent psalm of Israel as we conclude this current celebration, striving as much as we can to align our feelings with its profound truth. Let us learn from the song of God, not merely with our lips but with our spirit and heart, and not only within the temple but also as we traverse the world, chanting with fervor: "How beloved is Thy village, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord" (Psalm 83:2-3).

All humanity feels a longing for a refuge where the wandering heart might abide and where restless desires might find peace; yet many do not recognize, or rather do not seek, the true sanctuary. They enlarge their abodes only to generate further emptiness. They attend feasts yet return burdened with excess or driven by fleeting pleasures. They instruct their "soul to rest" (Luke 12:19) upon the abundance of worldly treasures, only to find that the ephemeral nature of flesh renders true rest elusive, leading it to wake in renewed anxiety. Others, sensing the confines of sensory fulfillment as inadequate for their yearnings, embark upon vast imaginings, glimpsing temples of glory and tasting wisdom, hastening toward these visions only to discover that such magnificent structures are but ethereal phantoms or sandy edifices perched precariously over an abyss, which offer neither solace nor even momentary peace.

Thus every soul on earth "longs and faints," like wax melting away under the heat of desire, flowing through material pursuits akin to a stream fragmented and lost in the wilderness—wearied if it lacks a singular focus for its striving. As the Psalmist depicts, it flutters through the realm of creation like a "bird" searching for a "temple" or a "nest" in which to rest (Psalm 83:4). Do you, dear soul, whose sojourn is nomadic in this world, who is perpetually yearning yet burdened by passions and wearied by manifold distractions, understand your refuge, your home, your comfort, your peace, your treasures, your ultimate good? Only God encompasses all these.

Just as earthly possessions gravitate toward the earth, where they find their resting place, so too does the heavenly essence of the soul, as "the breath of life" (Gen. 7:27) bestowed by God, yearn to ascend unto Him, finding its true abode in His presence, always seeking that communion and joy which it originally stemmed from. As the soul wholeheartedly dedicates itself to this salvific journey towards its divine Origin, God, through His Son, "sends it help from the Holy One" (Ps. 19:2). A soul stirred by faith and love rises upon the spiritual heights to transcend earthly bonds, reaching the villages of the Lord, His courts, and ultimately His divine house. Though this path may appear arduous and unattainable to the fleshly eye, it is here where one may uncover that which is pursued in vain upon the earth.

In this sacred journey, the myriad desires of the human spirit, liberated from worldly dust, unite into a single, powerful stream destined for the ocean of infinite bliss. It does not 'wish' for idleness, nor does it 'vanish' in trivial pursuits—it "longs and faints for the courts of the Lord" (Psalm 83:3). Therefore, it sings with the Psalmist: "The bird shall find a home, and the turtledove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young. Blessed are Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God" (Ps. 83:4). As the bird joyfully anticipates her nest as a place of offspring, so do I find solace at Thy altars, for I understand that when I offer You a "broken heart," You shall "create within me a clean heart" (Ps. 50:12-19); You shall take away “a heart of stone” and give me “a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26), drawing me to the place where my treasure resides.

Some, in a misguided understanding, may acknowledge the significance of altars and may seem familiar with the house of God, but they lack comprehension of how to truly enter or engage within it. Merely placing one’s body within the temple does not guarantee a relationship with God; those in such a state may be no more associated with the house of God than statues merely adorning its façade. They serve God out of fear rather than love, seeking to escape His anger rather than actually doing His will. They operate as hirelings, hoping to earn earthly blessings, yet still depend upon the gifts of the world and the flesh, which is a stark contrast to the majesty and goodness of God's divine service and the resounding praises offered by His true servants.

To draw nearer to God, we must align our entire being as a holy instrument, so that we may jointly sing this song of the divine abode: "O Lord of Hosts, O Lord of Hosts! My heart and my flesh cry out to the living God" (Psalm 83:2-3). It is not the fear of servitude that drives me to Your service, O Lord, but rather Your love that casts out my fears and draws me to follow You. It is not Your gifts that my spirit desires; rather, I long for your abodes, Your closeness, and Your fellowship. I seek not to approach You with mere lip service; Your love surrounds me, guiding my whole self to the living God.

To teach us this loving approach to God, the Psalmist highlights two states of those who yearn for His house. One state is described as dwelling within it: "Blessed are those who dwell in Thy house" (Psalm 83:5). The other includes those who aspire to dwell in it: "I have found my place in the house of my God" (Ps. 83:11). Reflecting on these two extremes of residence within God’s house reveals to us the heights to which those pursuing union with Him may aspire. "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house" (Ps. 83:11).

Yet how can one dwell in the house of God amid the world’s distractions? The house of God remains accessible to all, save for those who deliberately exclude themselves from it. Entrance can be found from any direction—be it South, North, West, or towards the eternal East. The house of God embodies the very presence of God. Those who fervently seek this sacred and sanctifying presence, turning to it with prayerful hearts, enter into the house of God. Those who persist in this divine awareness live continually in His house. The deeper and more fruitful the awareness of God’s presence, the more profound and complete one’s dwelling in His house becomes.

The Psalmist, serving as our guide, describes the steps or ladder leading us to this spiritual home dwelling in the heart of a believer who trusts in God's power and is committed to its realization: "Blessed is the man... his heart is set on pilgrimage" (Psalm 83:6). The renunciation of earthly distractions—unprofitable thoughts, desires, and actions—along with the embrace of God-pleasing intentions and deeds, creates varied paths and degrees of ascent into God’s villages, courts, and His house. Naturally, the one striving within this divine haven, seeking not to scatter in the world, often finds himself within the visible house of God, reverently worshipping at His holy temple with both fear and love. In such a way, he makes the village of God on earth his true resting place, recognizing that outside this sanctuary lies only toil and rebellion, while within it, he discovers peace.

Consider the blessed state of those who dwell within God’s house: "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house," the song of the house of God declares, "for they shall ever praise Thee" (Psalm 83:5). Those focused on earthly matters possess little understanding of this profound joy or its eternal nature; they are only familiar with fleeting, human attractions that burden their consciences. They do not grasp the beauty of divine praise, by which the blessed deliver their elation back to God and receive boundless blessings from Him. Praise is the essence of joy for those "planted in the house of our God" (Psalm 91:14), maturing into the fruit of their blessedness. When the roots and foundation of such living trees thrive in goodness, all thoughts, desires, and intentions are nourished by the waters of grace and salvation. On the heights of spiritual aspirations directed toward God, a singular desire steadily arises—an act of praise and glorification for the Source of all goodness—ever growing and ripening in fruition.

Truly, O Lord, "blessed are they that dwell in Thy house!" "They shall drink from the fountain of Thy house and from the stream of Thy delight, for with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light, we see light" (Psalm 36:9-10). Consider, dear Christians, these immeasurable blessings reserved for the friends and companions of God’s house, of which we too must be partakers. If life is sweet even from this meager, steadily diminishing stream available to the outward man, how much sweeter it surely becomes as we draw nearer to the Source of all life! If this visible light, which discloses the wonders of creation, is enjoyable but imperfectly blends light and darkness, what a glorious vision is destined for us when, as the Prophet foretells, we will ultimately perceive the pure light of God without any taint of shadow!

Do not imagine that these blessings remain locked away only in heaven; they also exist here on earth "in the house of God"—in fervent heartfelt prayers and in the total devotion of the soul to Him through faith and love. One servant of God once experienced such ecstasy on earth that it seemed heaven could not contain it: "What... is there in heaven?" he cried out to God, "and what do I desire on earth?"—It is not simply the earth he dismisses: "What is there in the earth?"—So too does he dismiss heaven itself: "What have I in heaven?" What fulfills you, dear friend of God? "My heart," he responds, "has found its God: ‘The God of my heart is my portion forever’" (Psalm 72:25-26). Thus we’ve been shown our lot, drawing us, as strangers and wanderers, toward the fatherly house of God; let none hastily seize this portion of the elect from His hand. The gifts of mercy are bestowed upon those embodying humility and patience.

Hence, the Psalmist himself, while illustrating the blessedness of dwelling in the house of God, refrains from including himself among them. "Blessed are those who dwell in Thy house." Instead, he professes, and simultaneously calls others to follow in humility, referring to a more accessible state of abiding in God’s house: "I have made my home within the house of my God." He acknowledges, "I am unworthy to be among God’s servants or to enter the innermost chamber of His house; yet I wish to stand at its gates and reside on its doorstep like a wanderer seeking refuge, or a beggar awaiting mercy." But do you realize the grace that resides even in this seemingly rejected position of the one who loves God’s house? "I find joy in dwelling in the house of my God," he continues, "rather than living in the abodes of sinners" (Psalm 83:11). It is better, even as an outsider, to briefly rest upon a pillar of God’s house than to thrive apart from Him and His grace in the world. It is better to stretch out a hand in supplication to God than to seize and squander apart from Him. It is far more desirable to serve as the least in God’s household than to be a mere idol in the world.

David expresses a heartfelt concern about his lack of a space within God's community to publicly declare his faith, grow in holiness, and engage in sacred worship. He understood that divine assemblies were essential, not instituted by God in vain, as the faithful need these spiritual supports while navigating the challenges of the world. Aware of his own frailty and the distance from celestial perfection, he has legitimate reason to mourn the absence of these vital means, whose significance is recognized only by the devout. Unlike hypocrites, who participate in public worship with more arrogance than reverence for God, David sought an authentic connection.

This psalm, authored by David, was entrusted to the son of Kore, the leader of the singers. In this composition, the prophet, having faced exile and hardship, yearns to return to Jerusalem in order to visit the Sacred Tabernacle. The prophet refers to the congregations as churches, recognizing that within them, spiritual fruits thrive. This psalm encompasses the grief, difficulties, and afflictions of the faithful who, for the sake of Christ, endure suffering and shed their blood. They long to move from their sorrowful state to the heavenly tabernacle that the Lord has established, not made by human hands (Heb. 8:2). Each word in this psalm ignites the heart with Divine love, characterizing the communities of God (the Holy Churches) as ‘beloved’, to which every God-seeking soul aspires.