How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
² My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
⁸ Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
¹² LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Psalm 84

How lovely is your temple, Lord of hosts;

You welcome sparrows, swallows build their nest

Among your altars, there they raise their young:

‘Tis in your presence, Lord, I long to rest.

My King, my God, what pleasure in the hearts

Of those who make your temple their abode;

They sing your praises, strong and full of joy;

They follow in the footsteps of their God.

For them the Vale of Weeping holds no fear;

Their tears collect like pools of summer rain

To bless and bring refreshment on their way,

Your constant favour shining through their pain.

They grow in strength as each to Zion goes

To meet his God, to seek Him at His place:

O God, Jehovah, hear me as I pray,

Show me your mercy, your abundant grace.

I’d rather spend a single day with you,

A humble doorman in your temple be

Than live a thousand days with evil men

In pomp and wealth and godless luxury.

O God, you are our light, protector too;

Supplies of grace flow freely from your hand:

To those who choose to follow in your way

No good will you withhold, just as you planned.

What blessing comes to those, O Lord of hosts,

What joy abounds to all who trust in you:

You freely give your choicest gifts to them

And mercy follows mercy all life through.