Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house ] It is very unlikely that sparrows and swallows, or birds of any kind, should be permitted to build their nests, and hatch their young, in or about altars which were kept in a state of the greatest purity; and where perpetual fires were kept up for the purpose of sacrifice, burning incense, &c. Without altering the text, if the clause be read in a parenthesis, the absurdity will be avoided, and the sense be good. "My heart crieth out for the living God, (even the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow rwrd deror, the ring-dove, a nest for herself, where she may lay; her young,) for thine altars. O Lord of hosts! " Or, read the parenthesis last: "My heart crieth out for the living God; for thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Even the sparrow hath found out a house, and the swallow (ring-dove) a nest for herself, where she may lay her young;" but I have no place, either of rest or worship, understood. The Chaldee translates thus: "Even the pigeon hath found a house, and the turtle-dove hath a nest because their young may be offered lawfully upon thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God." Or, as a comparison seems to be here intended the following may best express the meaning; "Even as the sparrow finds out (seeks) a house, and the swallow her nest in which she may hatch her young; so I, thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God."
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The ordinances of God are the believer's solace in this evil world; in them he enjoys the presence of the living God: this causes him to regret his absence from them. They are to his soul as the nest to the bird. Yet they are only an earnest of the happiness of heaven; but ho can men desire to enter that holy habitation, who complain of Divin ordinances as wearisome? Those are truly happy, who go forth, and go of in the exercise of religion, in the strength of the grace of Jesu Christ, from whom all our sufficiency is. The pilgrims to the heavenl city may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many thirsty desert; but wells of salvation shall be opened for them, an consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course, shall find God add grace to their graces. And thos who grow in grace, shall be perfect in glory.
Original Hebrew גם1571 צפור6833 מצאה4672 בית1004 ודרור1866 קן7064 לה אשׁר834 שׁתה7896 אפרחיה667 את853 מזבחותיך4196 יהוה3068 צבאות6635 מלכי4428 ואלהי׃430
