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!

Unto the end. For the wine and oil presses. A Psalm to the sons of Korah. How beloved are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

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 faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have exulted in 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.

For even the sparrow has found a home for himself, and the turtle-dove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young: your altars, O Lord of hosts, 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, O Lord. They will praise you from age to age.

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

Blessed is the man whose help is from you. In his heart, he is disposed to ascend

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

from the valley of tears, from the place which he has determined.

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

For even the lawgiver will provide a blessing; they will go from virtue to virtue. The God of gods will be seen in Zion.

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

O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer. Pay attention, O God of Jacob.

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

O God, gaze upon our protector, and look upon the face of your Christ.

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 one day in your courts is better than thousands elsewhere. I have chosen to be lowly in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

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 God loves mercy and truth. The Lord will give grace and glory.

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

He will not withhold good things from those who walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who hopes in you.