In these verses, the psalmist speaks of the blessings that come to those who put their trust in God and make a pilgrimage to his dwelling place in Zion. The "Valley of Baka" mentioned in verse 6 is likely a metaphor for a difficult or challenging journey, but the psalmist describes how those who trust in God are able to transform even the most difficult circumstances into a source of blessing and refreshment. They make the Valley of Baka a place of springs, and the autumn rains bring an abundance of water to cover it with pools.
The psalmist also emphasizes the spiritual journey that pilgrims undertake as they draw closer to God. They go from "strength to strength," growing in faith and spiritual maturity as they draw nearer to the holy presence of God in Zion. The ultimate goal of the pilgrimage is to appear before God, and the psalmist speaks of this as the culmination of the journey.
Psalm 84 is a psalm of the sons of Korah, who were a group of Levites responsible for the musical worship in the temple. The psalm is often referred to as a psalm of pilgrimage, as it expresses the longing of the faithful to be in the presence of God in his temple in Jerusalem.
In the opening verses of the psalm, the psalmist expresses his longing for the presence of God, saying "My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord" (verse 2). He describes the joy and blessedness of those who are able to make a pilgrimage to the temple, saying "Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you" (verse 4).
In the verses that follow (verses 5-7), the psalmist speaks of the blessings that come to those who trust in God and make a pilgrimage to his dwelling place in Zion. As I mentioned earlier, the "Valley of Baka" mentioned in verse 6 is likely a metaphor for a difficult or challenging journey, but the psalmist describes how those who trust in God are able to transform even the most difficult circumstances into a source of blessing and refreshment.
The psalmist also speaks of the spiritual journey that pilgrims undertake as they draw closer to God. In these verses, the psalmist expresses his deep longing for the presence of God and his conviction that nothing is more important than being in God's courts. He emphasizes the blessings that come to those who trust in God and walk in righteousness before him, and he reminds us that the Lord is a sun and shield who bestows favor and honor on those who put their trust in him.
Overall, Psalm 84 is a beautiful expression of the longing of the faithful for the presence of God and the blessings that come to those who trust in him. It is a reminder that nothing in this world can compare to the joy and blessedness of being in the presence of God, and it encourages us to put our trust in him and to walk in righteousness before him. Psalm 84:5-7 is a beautiful expression of the blessings that come to those who trust in God and make a pilgrimage to his dwelling place. The psalmist encourages us to see even the most difficult circumstances as an opportunity to grow in faith and to draw nearer to God. It is a reminder that the ultimate goal of our journey is to appear before God and to experience the fullness of his presence and blessing.
Psalm 84:5-7. Blessed are those whose strength is in you; who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage. Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength. Everyone of them appears before God in Zion.