Psalm 84

Psalm 84

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies.2 I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the LORD.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!4 What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
Interlude5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD,
who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,t
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.7 They will continue to grow stronger,
and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.t8 O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.
Listen, O God of Jacob.
Interlude9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!
Show favor to the one you have anointed.10 A single day in your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.11 For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The LORD will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right.12 O LORD of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in you.

PSALMS 84

The Joy of Worship

1 [Lord] God All-Powerful,
your temple is so lovely!

2 Deep in my heart I long
for your temple,
and with all that I am
I sing joyful songs to you.

3 [Lord] God All-Powerful,
my King and my God,
sparrows find a home
near your altars;
swallows build nests there
to raise their young.

4 You bless everyone
who lives in your house,
and they sing your praises.

5 You bless all who depend
on you for their strength
and all who deeply desire
to visit your temple.

6 When they reach Dry Valley, t
springs start flowing,
and the autumn rain fills it
with pools of water.t

7 Your people grow stronger,
and you, the God of gods,
will be seen in Zion.

8 [Lord] God All-Powerful,
the God of Jacob,
please answer my prayer!

9 You are the shield
that protects your people,
and I am your chosen one.
Won't you smile on me?

10 One day in your temple
is better than a thousand
anywhere else.
I would rather serve
in your house,
than live in the homes
of the wicked.

11 Our [Lord] and our God,
you are like the sun
and also like a shield.
You treat us with kindness
and with honor,
never denying any good thing
to those who live right.

12 [Lord] God All-Powerful,
you bless everyone
who trusts you.