Psalm 84

New International Reader's Version

³ Lord who rules over all,
    even the sparrow has found a home near your altar.
My King and my God,
    the swallow also has a nest there,
    where she may have her young.
⁴ Blessed are those who live in your house.
    They are always praising you.

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength comes from you.
    They have firmly decided to travel to your temple.
⁶ As they pass through the dry Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place where water flows.
    The rain in the fall covers it with pools.
⁷ Those people get stronger as they go along,
    until each of them appears in Zion, where God lives.

⁸ Lord God who rules over all, hear my prayer.
    God of the people of Jacob, listen to me.
⁹ God, may you be pleased with your anointed king.
    You appointed him to be like a shield that keeps us safe.

¹⁰ A single day in your courtyards is better
    than a thousand anywhere else.
I would rather guard the door of the house of my God
    than live in the tents of sinful people.
¹¹ The Lord God is like the sun that gives us light.
    He is like a shield that keeps us safe.
    The Lord blesses us with favor and honor.
He doesn’t hold back anything good
    from those whose lives are without blame.

¹² Lord who rules over all,
    blessed is the person who trusts in you.