Psalm 84

Longing for God’s House

For the choir director: on the Gittith.(A) A psalm of the sons of Korah.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord of Armies.(B)
I long and yearn
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh cry out for[a] the living God.(C)

Even a sparrow finds a home,
and a swallow, a nest for herself
where she places her young—
near your altars, Lord of Armies,
my King and my God.(D)
How happy are those who reside in your house,
who praise you continually.(E)Selah

Happy are the people whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.(F)
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,[b]
they make it a source of spring water;
even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings.[c](G)
They go from strength to strength;
each appears before God in Zion.(H)

Lord God of Armies, hear my prayer;
listen, God of Jacob.(I)Selah
Consider our shield,[d] God;(J)
look on the face of your anointed one.(K)

10 Better a day in your courts
than a thousand anywhere else.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than live in the tents of wicked people.(L)
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield.(M)
The Lord grants favor and honor;
he does not withhold the good
from those who live with integrity.(N)
12 Happy is the person who trusts in you,
Lord of Armies!(O)

Footnotes

  1. 84:2 Or flesh shout for joy to
  2. 84:6 Or Valley of Tears
  3. 84:6 Or pools
  4. 84:9 = the king

To the Director: On the Gittith.

A Psalm by the descendants of Korah.

Longing for God

84 How lovely are your dwelling places,
    Lord of the Heavenly Armies.
I desire and long
    for the Temple[a] courts of the Lord.
My heart and body[b] sing for joy
    to the living God.[c]
Even the sparrow found a house for herself
    and the swallow a nest
to lay[d] her young at your altar,
    Lord of the Heavenly Armies,
        my king and God.
How happy are those who live in your Temple,
    for they can praise you continuously.
Interlude

How happy are those whose strength is in you,
    whose heart is on your path.
They will pass through the Baca Valley
    where he will prepare a spring for them;
        even the early rain will cover it with blessings.
They will walk from strength to strength;
    each will appear before God in Zion.

Lord God of the Heavenly Armies, hear my prayer!
    Listen, God of Jacob!
Interlude

God, look at our shield,
    and show favor to your anointed,
10 for a day in your Temple[e] courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather stand
    at the entrance of God’s house
        than live in the tent of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord grants grace and favor;
the Lord will not withhold any good thing
    from those who walk blamelessly.
12 Lord of Heavenly Armies,
    how happy are those who trust in you.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 84:2 The Heb. lacks temple
  2. Psalm 84:2 Lit. flesh
  3. Psalm 84:2 Or the God of life
  4. Psalm 84:3 Or to set up
  5. Psalm 84:10 The Heb. lacks temple