Psalms 84

1 For the music director. A psalm of the descendants of Korah. On the gittith. How wonderful is the place where you live, Lord Almighty!

For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. How lovely are your dwellings, LORD of Armies!

2 I long, I ache, to be in the courts of the Lord. My mind and my body sing for joy to the living God.

My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3 Even a sparrow finds a home there, and a swallow builds a nest for herself where she can raise her chicks near to your altars, Lord Almighty, my king and my God.

Yes, the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young, near your altars, LORD of Armies, my King, and my God.

4 How happy are those who live in your house—they are always praising you! (Selah)

Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are always praising you. (Selah)

5 How happy are those whose strength is in you, those who are determined to make a pilgrimage.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.

6 As they walk through the Valley of Tears it becomes a spring of water; autumn rains cover it with pools.

Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.

7 They go from strength to strength, and each one will appear before God in Jerusalem.

They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

8 Lord God Almighty, please hear my prayer; please listen, God of Jacob. (Selah)

LORD, God of Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, God of Jacob. (Selah)

9 Please God, look at our defender, look at the face of your anointed one.

Behold, God our shield, look at the face of your anointed.

10 One day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. I'd rather stand as a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live comfortably in the homes of the wicked.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is our sun and shield, and he gives us grace and honor. The Lord doesn't hold back anything good from those who do right.

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.

12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you.

LORD of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you.