The reference [birds who nest in the temple area near the altars of Yahweh Sabaoth (v 4)] must be to the nests of birds located in crevices in the walls of the buildings or in trees in the temple courts . . . The birds are symbols of the life, freedom, and joy of those who dwell close to God. . . . The speaker yearns for a privilege like that of the birds. Driven by inner motivations to build safe nests in which to hatch their young, they seem to be at home in the confines of the temple: “The holy place is the epitome of the undisturbed, fulfilled life” (Kraus, Psalms 60–150, 168). The birds are truly blessed, for they have found a safe residence in the house of the living God. The privileged status of birds recurs in Scripture and perhaps there is a similar longing in Jesus’ lament: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Luke 9:58, NIV). Likewise, in his admonition not to worry about tomorrow, Jesus points to the birds: “They do not sow, or reap, or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matt 6:26, NIV). From their privileged position in the nooks and crannies of the temple precincts, the birds fill the air with joyous song. The birds are like the temple singers, whose hallels to Yahweh Sabaoth—King and God—are never ending.

MARVIN TATE, PSALMS 51-100, VOLUME 20 (WORD BIBLICAL COMMENTARY), 356-358.