Birdhouses and Psalm 84

A birdhouse-lover lives about a block away. Dozens of bird-size boxes adorn her trees. As I walk past, the “happy chirp” volume is high. I thought of this display when recently studying Psalm 84:

 Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may have her young—
A place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
They are ever praising you. (vv. 3-4)

I always considered Psalm 84 the “glad-to-be-in-church” psalm. James Montgomery Boice gives a different viewpoint in calling this “The Psalm of the Janitors.” The subtitle indicates this was “of the sons of Korah,” one of eleven such psalms so dedicated. The Korahites were part of the temple staff, charged with gate-keeping (1 Chron. 26:1) and singing.
 

Until now, I never gave much thought to the birds, knowing how they will find anywhere to nest. They’re often fluttering through the rafters of warehouse stores, despite the efforts of management to get rid of them. But Boice brought my attention to something else: the types of birds mentioned.

Sparrows were symbols of worthlessness. In Bible times, they sold two for about a penny or five for two cents (Matt. 10:39, Luke 12:6). Yet these “worthless” birds made their homes near the altar of Israel’s worship center. Jesus said that even when they fall to the ground, God knows about it. He added, “Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29, 31).

Swallows symbolized restlessness. They’re constantly on the “fly” until they nest and raise young. Bible teacher John Stott wrote that he thought the swallows were the same as the screaming swift, still found at the Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem. We, too, are restless and flittering about until we come to rest in God. As St. Augustine famously said, “Our hearts are restless till they rest in thee.”

I find a comforting sense of continuity in this psalm. First, the Korahites composed a song alluding to temple birds. Then Jesus based parables on them. And they’re still around! It reminds me how with God, a day is as a thousand years (Psalm 90:4). Nothing is too insignificant to Him. If birds find rest under His watchful eye, how much more does He care for His cherished children.

We too can “nest” near His altar and find that resting place. We can “dwell” in His house through fellowship with other believers, and through those hidden, private times of prayer and reflection. So blessed, praise should be our automatic response (v. 4).

Worth-ship and rest. Take a lesson from birds? I think we can.