Joshua Bennett
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place is a hymn based on Psalm 84. The hymn was written anonymously for the Scottish Psalter of 1650, using Thomas Sternhold's common meter. The text was later revised by modern hymn writer Carl P. Daw Jr., who paired it with the tune Brother James' Air. The hymn expresses the psalmist's love for the house of God and longing for the courts of Jehovah, which are considered God's dwelling place. It is a paraphrase of Psalm 84 and originated in the ancient Hebrew practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with a special appreciation for the Temple and its courts. The hymn has been included in various hymnals and is considered an effort to restore psalm singing in the church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place |
| Scripture | Psalm 84 |
| First Line | How lovely is thy dwelling place |
| Tune Title | HARINGTON, BROTHER JAMES' AIR, MCKEE |
| Meter | 86 86, CM, C.M., 8 6 8 6 CM, COMMON METER (8.6.8.6) |
| Date | 1961, 1985, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2013 |
| Subject | Anniversary of a Church, Blessing, Call to Worship, Church, Dedication Festival, Fulfilment, Guidance, Longing, Lord's Day, Pilgrimage, Praise, Providence, Saints Days and Holy Days, Service Music, Trust in God, Water, Worship |
| Source | Scottish Psalter, 1650, Scottish Psalter, 1929, The Scottish Psalter, 1929, alt., Scottish Psalter, Foundations Psalter: 1650 |
| Composer | Johannes Brahms |
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What You'll Learn
The hymn is based on Psalm 84
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a hymn based on Psalm 84, expressing love for God and longing for God's presence. The hymn's roots can be traced back to the ancient Hebrew practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with a focus on the Temple and its courts. The original text, written anonymously for the Scottish Psalter of 1650, used Thomas Sternhold's common meter.
The hymn "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" draws its inspiration from Psalm 84, which begins with the psalmist expressing their love for the house of God: "How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!" (Psalm 84:1). This love and longing for the courts of the Lord are echoed in the hymn's opening lines: "How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts, to me! / The tabernacles of thy grace how pleasant, Lord, they be!"
Both the psalm and the hymn emphasize the blessing of dwelling in God's house and the strength that comes from the Lord. In Psalm 84, it is written, "Blessed are they who dwell in your house; they are ever giving you praise" (Psalm 84:4). This sentiment is reflected in the hymn's lyrics: "Blessed are they in thy house that dwell, they ever give thee praise." The psalm also speaks of those who find their strength in God: "Blessed is the one whose strength is in you, who has set their heart on pilgrimage" (Psalm 84:5). Similarly, the hymn proclaims, "Blessed is the man whose strength thou art, in whose heart are thy ways."
The imagery of the sparrow and the swallow finding a nest in the Temple is another striking parallel between the hymn and Psalm 84. In the psalm, it is written, "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, LORD Almighty, my King and my God" (Psalm 84:3). This image is beautifully woven into the hymn's lyrics: "Behold, the sparrow findeth out an house wherein to rest; / The swallow also for herself hath purchased a nest; / Ev'n thine own altars, where she safe her young ones forth may bring, / O thou almighty Lord of hosts, who art my God and King."
The hymn "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" captures the essence of Psalm 84, expressing a deep longing for God's presence and a recognition of the blessing of dwelling in God's house. The hymn gives voice to the psalmist's love for the house of God and serves as a reminder of the spiritual ascent and pilgrimage toward the divine.
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It expresses a saint's love for the church
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a hymn expressing a saint's love for the church. It is based on Psalm 84, which expresses the psalmist's love for the house of God. In the hymn, the church is referred to as God's dwelling place, and it is described as a place of rest and praise. The hymn also reflects the idea of spiritual ascent, with the singer longing to be in the presence of God.
The text of the hymn was written anonymously for the Scottish Psalter of 1650, using Thomas Sternhold's common meter. It was later revised by modern hymn writer Carl P. Daw Jr., who paired it with the tune "Brother James' Air." This version has been included in many hymnals and has helped to restore psalm singing to the church.
The hymn begins with an expression of longing for God's dwelling place: "How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts, to me! The tabernacles of thy grace how pleasant, Lord, they be!" (Psalm 84:1). It continues with a description of the sparrow finding a nest in the temple, which represents the singer finding rest and refuge in God.
The hymn also includes blessings for those who dwell in God's house, praising God without ceasing: "Blessed are they in thy house that dwell, they ever give thee praise" (Psalm 84:4). It expresses the desire to be strong in the Lord and to go from strength to strength, ultimately appearing before the Lord in Zion.
Overall, "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a beautiful expression of a saint's love for the church, reflecting the singer's deep longing for God's presence and the joy and peace found in dwelling with Him.
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It was written for the Scottish Psalter of 1650
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a hymn expressing a longing for God and spiritual ascent. It is based on Psalm 84, which itself expresses the psalmist's love for the house of God, and the text was written anonymously for the Scottish Psalter of 1650, using Thomas Sternhold's common meter. The Scottish Psalter of 1650 was the first version of this metrical psalm.
The hymn has its roots in the ancient Hebrew practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with a focus on the Temple and its courts. The text reflects this theme of pilgrimage and longing for God's presence, with imagery of sparrows and swallows finding a nest in God's house. This imagery is also present in Psalm 84, where the psalmist's longing is fulfilled in the peace of the birds that live in the temple.
The Scottish Psalter of 1650 version of the hymn has been revised and set to different tunes over the years. Modern hymn writer Carl P. Daw Jr. revised the text and paired it with the tune "Brother James' Air," which features arpeggios fitting the theme of spiritual ascent. Johannes Brahms also set the hymn to music in his "A German Requiem," which brought him international prominence.
The hymn has endured as a beloved expression of faith and has been included in various hymnals. It serves as a reminder of our desire for Christ's presence and our longing to be God's dwelling place, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 6:19.
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The modern version is by Carl P. Daw Jr
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a hymn based on the biblical Psalm 84. The original text of the hymn was written anonymously for the Scottish Psalter of 1650, using Thomas Sternhold's common meter. The modern version is by Carl P. Daw Jr., an American Episcopal priest, hymn writer, and curator of hymnological collections at the Boston University School of Theology. Daw's version bridges the stylistic gap between psalmody and hymnody, making the text more accessible and widely embraced. It is included in many hymnals and set to the tune "Brother James' Air," featuring arpeggios that evoke a sense of spiritual ascent.
Carl P. Daw Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1944 and is the son of a Baptist minister. He holds a PhD in English and taught the subject from 1970 to 1979 at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He later became an Episcopal priest, serving congregations in Virginia, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Daw began writing hymns as a consultant member of the Text Committee for The Hymnal 1982, and his texts have appeared in various hymn collections.
Daw's version of "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a revision of the original 17th-century text. The hymn expresses a longing for the presence of God and the spiritual ascent towards Mount Zion. The imagery of sparrows and swallows finding their nests in the temple reflects the theme of finding rest in God. The hymn also emphasizes the desire for God's dwelling place, mirroring Paul's description of the human body as "the temple of the Holy Spirit" in 1 Corinthians 6:19.
The modern version of the hymn, with its pairing of text and melody, captures the essence of spiritual ascent and the pilgrim's journey towards the New Jerusalem. Daw's contribution to "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" has ensured its place in contemporary hymnals, making it accessible to a wider audience and revitalizing the tradition of psalm singing within the church.
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It's about longing for God
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a hymn expressing a deep longing for God and spiritual ascension. It is a paraphrase of Psalm 84, which captures the psalmist's love for the house of God and the spiritual journey towards the New Jerusalem. The hymn beautifully articulates the soul's yearning to be in the presence of God and to find rest in Him.
The hymn's lyrics paint a picture of the soul's thirst and fervent desire to dwell in the courts of the Lord. It evokes a sense of longing, with the heart and flesh crying out for the living God. This theme of longing is also reflected in Psalm 42, where it is compared to the thirst of a deer. The hymn emphasizes the blessing of those who find their dwelling place in God, praising Him without ceasing.
The image of the sparrow finding a nest within the temple is used to symbolize the idea of resting in God's presence. Just as the sparrow builds its nest, the hymn expresses the desire to make a home with God, echoing Augustine's prayer that the human heart finds its rest in God. This rest is not automatic, but the psalm assures that even in the desert and spiritual drought, one will ultimately find God's living water.
The hymn also draws on the ancient Hebrew practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with a special appreciation for the Temple and its courts. It captures the spiritual ascent, feeling like a journey up Mount Zion and into the presence of God. This sense of ascending towards God is further emphasized by the revised tune, "Brother James' Air," which features arpeggios that fit the theme of spiritual ascent.
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" serves as a powerful expression of a saint's love for the church and their longing for God. It invites God to fill them as they sing, crying out with their heart and flesh. The hymn beautifully bridges the stylistic gap between psalmody and hymnody, making it easily embraced and included in many hymnals.
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Frequently asked questions
The hymn "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is about the singer's longing for God and their spiritual ascent. It is an expression of the singer's desire for God's presence and their journey towards the New Jerusalem.
The hymn is based on Psalm 84 and began in the ancient Hebrew practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with a special appreciation for the Temple and its courts. The first version of this hymn was published in the 1650 Scottish Psalter.
The original text was written anonymously for the Scottish Psalter of 1650, using Thomas Sternhold's common meter. It was later revised by modern hymn writer Carl P. Daw Jr., who paired it with the tune "Brother James' Air".
The hymn is based on Psalm 84, which expresses the psalmist's love for the house of God and their longing for his courts. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle and the temple are types of the church as God's dwelling place.
