Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
—Psalm 84:3 (NRSV)
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
—Psalm 84:3 (NRSV)
thedailylily.com 
I love psalm 84 and when I get to verse 3 and the writer declares a truth by giving notice, EVEN…I pay attention to even me and parents everywhere have potential…we build our nest in the house of the Lord, in the depth of His word. The light never dims. Lingering around the table gives daily sustenance for mind, body and soul. I found a few commentaries that must feel the same way.
“The writer of this Psalm had peculiar familiarity with the Temple. He had watched it with loving eyes, and seen the birds finding rest and refuge there.” (Morgan)
ii. Boice offered that the sparrow is an example of a bird of small significance and the swallow is a picture of restlessness. Likewise, the insignificant can find his place in the house of God, and the restless man can find his rest (nest) there – near God’s altar.
“It is evidently the design of this passage to intimate to us, that in the house, and at the altar of God, a faithful soul findeth freedom from care and sorrow, quiet of mind, and gladness of spirit; like a bird that had secured a little mansion for the reception and education of her young.” (Horne)
iv. “You and I, dear friends, will be wise if we do as this sparrow did; for she found a house for herself because she looked for it, she found it because it was there all ready for her, and she found it by appropriating it so that it became her very own. Thus may we appropriate the Lord Jesus Christ, by an act of faith, and so make him our very own!” (Spurgeon)
v. My King and my God: “The double ‘my’ is very precious; he lays hold upon his God with both his hands, as one resolved not to let him go till the favour requested be at length accorded.” (Spurgeon)
b. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house: The psalmist went from envying the birds living at the tabernacle to envying the priests who had rooms at the house of God. He felt they could live a life of constant praise (they will still be praising You).
i. Still be praising: “It is not enough to praise him, it must be a praising him still, before it will make a blessedness; and though to praise God be an easy matter, yet to praise him still, will be found a busy work.” (Baker, cited in Spurgeon)
Happy Mothers Day to ALL!
Sara, your written thoughts are really special and inspirational…” pay attention to even me and parents everywhere have potential…we build our nest in the house of the Lord, in the depth of His word. The light never dims. Lingering around the table gives daily sustenance for mind, body and soul.”
I love how “our nest” is compared to “in the depth of His word”. Makes me think of the security and provision found there….yet the gathering and work that goes into building that nest.
And what you wrote also illustrates the commentary, “like a bird that had secured a little mansion for the reception and education of her young.”
Thinking on Psalm 84:3 literally, it is amazing to think on how the birds and those with their little bird family have such an inner knowing and desire; a radar for God’s presence. And that they know that at God’s altar is the very best place to be.
Happy Mother’s Day to all, also!
“You and I, dear friends, will be wise if we do as this sparrow did; for she found a house for herself because she looked for it, she found it because it was there all ready for her, and she found it by appropriating it so that it became her very own. Thus may we appropriate the Lord Jesus Christ, by an act of faith, and so make him our very own!” (Spurgeon) I just wanted to repost what Spurgeon said. Sounds as if it requires some action on the bird’s part? Do I understand this correctly?
Happy Mother’s Day to all! 🥰💕🙏
Tammy, I think you understand Spurgeon’s heart very well.
Not sure who penned the words of this song but the words and melody has a draw to Spurgeon’s thoughts. I hope Mothers feel so close to the ❤️ Of God today and every day that regardless of what circumstances say around you that you will pause and pray and enter His cathedral and hear God whisper these words to you, “ God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 (NRSV) God is so proud of how He made you and you are lovely in His eyes. I hope you remember to thank Him today. You are a gift to him.
“🎼When I pause in the hush of his holy presence
When I’m so still I can hear each whispered word
When I pause to pray I enter His cathedral
These are the times when God seems so near.
There are times when I cannot feel His presence,
When the clouds of doubt obscure the Master’s smile
But when I’m still enough to hear his gentle whisper
Then I know my Lord has been there all the while
When I pause in the hush of his holy presence
When I pause in the hush of his holy presence
When I’m so still I can hear each whispered word
When I pause to pray I enter His cathedral
These are the times when God seems so near.
When I pause in the hush of his holy presence
When I’m so still I can hear each whispered word
When I pause to pray I enter His cathedral
These are the times when God seems so near.
These are the times when God seems so near”
“There are times when I cannot feel His presence,
When the clouds of doubt obscure the Master’s smile
But when I’m still enough to hear his gentle whisper
Then I know my Lord has been there all the while“. Beautiful lyrics to sing and remember. When I read the lyrics a familiar verse came to mind: “Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;…”
Tammy, you keep reminding us we are in relationship and we have a part, pause, be still! WOW!
And, Debi, being the good teacher that you are you gave the highlight, our nest” is compared to “in the depth of His word”.