Psalm 84 11

Psalm 84:11 kjv

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.

Psalm 84:11 nkjv

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:11 niv

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 84:11 esv

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:11 nlt

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The LORD will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right.

Psalm 84 verses

Psalm 84 11 Meaning

Psalm 84:11 conveys the profound preference of a devout soul for God's immediate presence above all worldly comforts or achievements. It declares that even a single day spent in God's sacred dwelling is immensely more valuable than a thousand days elsewhere. The verse further emphasizes this by stating a clear choice: the psalmist would rather serve in the humblest capacity within God's pure presence than enjoy any elevated status in an environment characterized by ungodliness. This encapsulates a value system that prioritizes spiritual communion and holiness over temporal pleasures and sin.

Psalm 84 11 Context

Psalm 84 is a fervent psalm of longing, expressing an intense desire to be in the dwelling place of God, likely the Temple in Jerusalem. Attributed to the Sons of Korah, it evokes the experience of pilgrims journeying to God's house for worship. The chapter preceding this verse speaks of the blessedness of those who dwell in the Lord's house, finding strength in their journey, transforming dry places into springs, and ultimately appearing before God in Zion. The psalmist extols God as a sun and shield in the preceding verse. Therefore, verse 11 serves as a climax, providing the underlying reason for such fervent longing and the deep satisfaction derived from being in God's presence, valuing it far above any alternative, however appealing it might seem. The historical context reflects a time when the Temple was the central point of worship for Israel, embodying God's presence among His people, making the physical presence in its courts an ultimate spiritual aspiration.

Psalm 84 11 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): A conjunctive particle, often translated as "for," "because," or "surely." It introduces the reason or justification for the psalmist's deep yearning and declarations of blessing found earlier in the psalm. It establishes a causal link to the value expressed.
• a day (יוֹם - yom): Refers to a single, limited duration of time. Its singularity here is emphasized in stark contrast to "a thousand," highlighting that even a brief moment in God's presence possesses incomparable value.
• in your courts (בַּחֲצֵרֶיךָ - baḥatzêrêḵa): "Courts" (ḥatzêr) denotes the outer areas of the Temple or Tabernacle where worshippers gathered, implying proximity to God's manifested presence and communal worship. It represents being within the consecrated space set apart for God.
• is better (טוֹב - ṭōḇ): Meaning "good," "excellent," "preferable," or "superior." This strong comparative adjective unequivocally states the surpassing worth and desirability of being in God's presence.
• than a thousand (מֵאֶלֶף - mēʾelef): "More than a thousand," typically implying a thousand days, but metaphorically meaning a vast, indeterminate, and prolonged period. This hyperbolic contrast underscores the disproportionate value, prioritizing spiritual quality over temporal quantity.
• elsewhere: Not explicit in the Hebrew but implied by the contrast with "in your courts." It refers to any other place, worldly settings, or life lived outside the immediate sphere of God's manifest presence.
• I would rather be (בָּחַרְתִּי - bāḥartî): "I have chosen," "I prefer." The perfect tense expresses a settled, deliberate, and resolute choice made by the psalmist, reflecting deep personal conviction and devotion.
• a doorkeeper (שֹׁמֵר - šōmēr): Literally "a guardian" or "a watchman," in context referring to a humble, often menial, role such as a gatekeeper or usher at the Temple. This emphasizes the psalmist's humility and willingness to serve in the lowest capacity just to be within God's house.
• in the house (בְּבֵית - bəvêt): "In the house of." Referring to the Temple, the established place of God's dwelling and worship. It signifies belonging and being an integral part of His sacred establishment.
• of my God (אֱלֹהָי - ʾělōhāy): The possessive "my God" personalizes the relationship, highlighting intimacy and profound attachment to the Divine. It underscores the personal commitment to the God of the covenant.
• than dwell (מִדּוּר - midûr): "Than to dwell," "than to reside." Refers to the act of living or settling in a particular place, highlighting the contrast in where one's life is established.
• in the tents (בְּאָהֳלֵי - bəʾāhōlê): "In the tents of." Tents typically denote temporary or nomadic dwellings, often associated with a transient or secular existence, distinct from the permanence of the Temple. Here, they metaphorically represent the homes or habitations of the ungodly world.
• of wickedness (רֶשַׁע - rešaʿ): Meaning "wickedness," "evil," "ungodliness," "sin." This word sharply defines the character of the alternative dwelling, presenting a stark moral and spiritual contrast to the purity of God's house.

• "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere": This phrase serves as a powerful hyperbole, asserting that even a short, qualitative experience of God's presence far outweighs vast quantities of time spent in ordinary or worldly pursuits. It underscores the superior joy, spiritual nourishment, and eternal value found in communion with God.
• "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness": This declaration magnifies the psalmist's personal preference for God's presence, extending beyond mere duration to status and location. It demonstrates a radical reorientation of values, where humility and spiritual purity in God's presence are supremely prioritized over any comfort, status, or prosperity found in a morally corrupt environment. The "house of my God" implies sanctity, protection, and belonging, while "tents of wickedness" symbolizes spiritual danger, transience, and estrangement from God.

Psalm 84 11 Bonus section

• Christological Fulfillment: This psalm's yearning for God's presence ultimately finds its highest fulfillment in Christ. Jesus declared Himself to be the Temple (Jn 2:19-21), and through Him, believers gain access to the Father's presence (Heb 10:19-22). To be "in Christ" is to dwell in the truest "house of God."
• Eschatological Hope: The sentiment echoes the ultimate hope of believers for an eternal dwelling with God in the new heavens and new earth, where God's presence is constant and complete (Rev 21:3-4). Any earthly tent of wickedness pales in comparison to the eternal "courts" of God's kingdom.
• Practical Application for Discipleship: The verse encourages believers to assess their own priorities, prompting reflection on whether their devotion to God's presence and purity outweighs their desire for worldly advancement, comfort, or social acceptance. It calls for a conscious separation from ungodliness and a valuing of any role, no matter how humble, that keeps one close to God's heart and work.

Psalm 84 11 Commentary

Psalm 84:11 expresses an intense longing for God's presence that transcends all earthly comparison. It champions the inestimable value of spiritual proximity to the Divine over temporal success or pleasure. A single day, even in the bustling outer courts of God's dwelling, is declared to hold more meaning and joy than a prolonged, prosperous existence outside of His sacred sphere. The psalmist’s ultimate preference to be a humble doorkeeper, merely guarding the threshold of God's house, rather than a guest or resident in any dwelling of the unrighteous, underscores a profound conviction: true blessedness lies in devotion and intimate connection with God, even if it entails lowliness by human standards, rejecting any association with the defilement of sin. This verse thus stands as an enduring testament to the heart's supreme valuation of God’s holy presence.