Psalms 84:3

The Psalmist envies the privilege of the birds which build their nests within the precincts of the Temple. If even they are allowed to find a home there, surely he may expect a welcome. As at an earlier time the surrounding scenery was eloquent to the poet of his own misfortunes (Psalms 42:7), so now a feature in the Temple courts expresses the longing of his heart. No doubt the figure is abruptly introduced. The picture is painted, and left to the reader to interpret. But it is unnecessary to suppose that the text is defective, and must be emended by the insertion of words to give the sense: -Birds have their nests, and so have I found (or rather, would I fain find) a home by thine altars." The direct address to God is not out of place, because though the Psalmist does not directly mean himself by the sparrow and swallow, his own longing breaks through the figure and moulds the language.

sparrow … swallow Cp. Proverbs 26:2. Tsippôr, rendered sparrow, is a generic term for small birds: drôris rendered doveby the LXX, Targ., and Syr., but probably means swallow. In ancient Greece as in the East the birds which nested in temples were accounted sacred. Comp. the story of Aristodicus at the temple of Branchidae (Herodotus i. 159); and "still the swallow seeks the temple enclosure at Jerusalem, and the mosque of Omar, as a secure and safe nesting-place." (Tristram, Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 206.)

may lay Rather, hath laid.

even thine altars Not of course the actual altar but its neighbour hood. Or we may render, by thine altars.

my King and my God See Psalms 5:2; cp. Psalms 44:4.