< Psalms 84 >
1 Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core. How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of host!
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 My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in 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 For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones: Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, 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 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are always praising you. (Selah)
5 Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.
6 In the vale of tears, in the place which be hath set.
Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
7 For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.
They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.
LORD, God of Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, God of Jacob. (Selah)
9 Behold, O God our protector: and look on the face of thy Christ.
Behold, God our shield, look at the face of your anointed.
10 For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.
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 God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.
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 He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
LORD of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you.