until each appears before God in Zion
Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, holds significant theological and eschatological importance. It is the city of God, representing His presence and the ultimate destination for worshippers. Historically, Zion was the site of the Temple, where God's presence dwelt among His people. The phrase "appears before God" indicates a personal encounter with the divine, a culmination of the pilgrim's journey. This can be seen as a type of the believer's ultimate hope of appearing before God in the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22-24). The pilgrimage to Zion symbolizes the Christian's journey towards eternal communion with God, where faith becomes sight and worship is perfected.

• Picture the pilgrims in Psalm 84: they have set their hearts on the journey to Jerusalem (Psalm 84:5). Every dusty mile brings fresh obstacles, yet the psalmist says, “They go from strength to strength.”

• The phrase is not wishful thinking; it is a statement of fact grounded in God’s covenant faithfulness. Deuteronomy 33:25 assures, “As your days, so shall your strength be”. The same God who supplied manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) supplies renewed vigor for every step.

• This is a supernatural progression, not mere human stamina. Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles”. Strength begets more strength because the Source is unlimited.

• Spiritually, the verse describes believers growing ever deeper in grace. Proverbs 4:18 notes, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day”. Likewise, 2 Corinthians 3:18 portrays believers being transformed “from glory to glory.”

• Trials do not stall the progress; they amplify it. When the pilgrims pass “through the Valley of Baca” (v. 6), God turns tears into “springs.” James 1:2-4 shows this same pattern: perseverance produces maturity.

• The journey has a definite destination: Zion, the earthly place where God chose to dwell and the prophetic picture of His heavenly throne (Hebrews 12:22).

• “Each” stresses personal accountability and privilege; no one is lost in the crowd. Revelation 22:4 promises, “They will see His face,” echoing this psalm’s hope.

• Arrival is guaranteed, not tentative. Psalm 73:24 celebrates, “You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory”. The same Shepherd who grants strength ensures safe arrival.

• The verse therefore offers strong assurance for believers today. Philippians 1:6 reinforces it: “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”. Our present growth has an appointed climax—standing before God, complete in Christ.

Psalm 84:7 paints the Christian life as a pilgrimage fueled by ever-renewed divine power, advancing stage by stage until every traveler stands joyfully in God’s presence. The Lord supplies strength for today, greater strength for tomorrow, and unwavering certainty of safe passage to His eternal dwelling.

"And he who flagg'd not in the earthly strife,

From strength to strength advancing, only he

His soul well knit, and all his battles won,

Mounts, and that hardly, to eternal life."

MATTHEW ARNOLD.

The marginal "from company to company" follows the alternative meaning of the Hebrew word, and suggests a picture of the actual progress of the various bands composing a caravan. But the expression in either sense is hardly Hebrew, and the text is suspicious. It emends easily to "They go to the Temple of the Living God, to see the God of gods in Zion" (Gratz).