< 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!
To the chief Musician. Upon the Gittith. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah 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 longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Jehovah; 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.
Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she layeth her young, thine altars, O Jehovah 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 they that dwell in thy house: they will be constantly praising thee. (Selah)
5 How happy are those whose strength is in you, those who are determined to make a pilgrimage.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, — they, in whose heart are the highways.
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 Baca, they make it a well-spring; yea, the early rain covereth 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: [each one] will appear before God in Zion.
8 Lord God Almighty, please hear my prayer; please listen, God of Jacob. (Selah)
Jehovah, God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. (Selah)
9 Please God, look at our defender, look at the face of your anointed one.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine 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 thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than 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 Jehovah Elohim is a sun and shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you.
Jehovah of hosts, blessed is the man that confideth in thee!