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 leader. On the gittith. Of the Korahites, a psalm. How dearly loved is the place where you live, 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.

How I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord. Now heart and flesh cry for joy to 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.

Even the sparrow has found her a home and the swallow a nest, to lay her young, near your altar, Lord of hosts, my king and my God.

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

Happy those who live in your house, praising you evermore. (Selah)

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

Happy those whose strength is in you, people with pilgrim hearts.

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

As they pass through the valley of tears, they make it a place of fountains, clothed with the blessings of early rain.

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

From rampart to rampart on they march, till at last God reveals himself in Zion.

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

Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer, attend, O God of Jacob. (Selah)

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

Behold, O God, our defender, and look upon 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 better a single day in your courts than a thousand in my own chambers: better stand at the door of the house of my God than live in the tents of ungodliness,

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 is sun and shield, the Lord gives grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from the life that is blameless.

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

Lord of hosts, happy those whose trust is in you.