This is Calvin's comment on Psalm 84:10 (... a day in thy courts is better ....)
Unlike the greater part of mankind, who desire to live without knowing why, wishing simply that their life may be prolonged, David here testifies to the fact that not only was the aim he proposed to himself in life was to serve God but that, in addition, he set a higher value on spending one day in the divine service than on a long time passed among men of the world, from whose society true religion is banished. It being lawful for none but the priests to enter into the inner and innermost courts of the Temple, David expressly declares that, provided he were permitted to have a place at the porch, he would be contented with this humble task of being a doorkeeper.
The value that he set on the sanctuary is presented in a very striking light by the comparison, that he would prefer having a place at the very doors of the Temple to having full possession of the tents of wickedness. The plain import of this is that he would rather be cast into a common and unhonoured place, provided he were among the people of God, than exalted to the highest rank of honour among unbelievers. A rare example of godliness indeed! Many can be found who desire to occupy a place in the Church but ambition has such sway over the minds of men that very few are content to continue among the number of the common and undistinguished class.
Almost all are carried away with the frantic desire to rise to distinction and can never think of being at ease until they have attained to some position of eminence.
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