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Psalm 84

The Joy of Worship in the Temple

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of hosts!(A)
My soul longs, indeed it faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.(B)

Even the sparrow finds a home
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
    my King and my God.(C)
Happy are those who live in your house,
    ever singing your praise. Selah(D)

Happy are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.[a](E)
As they go through the valley of Baca,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.(F)
They go from strength to strength;
    the God of gods will be seen in Zion.(G)

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
    look on the face of your anointed.(H)

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than live in the tents of wickedness.(I)
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.(J)
12 O Lord of hosts,
    happy is everyone who trusts in you.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 84.5 Heb lacks to Zion

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