Psalms 84 ASV
Summary: A psalm of the sons of Korah expressing pure longing for the temple: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD" (v. 1-2). Even the sparrow and swallow finding nests near God's altars become an image of the psalmist's own desire for that nearness, and pilgrims passing through the dry "valley of Baca" find it turned into a place of springs on their way to Zion (v. 6). Its most quoted line captures the whole psalm's preference: "a day in thy courts is better than a thousand... I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (v. 10).
1For the Chief Musician; set to the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of hosts!
2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Jehovah; My heart and my flesh cry out unto the living God.
3Yea, the sparrow hath found her a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even thine altars, O Jehovah of hosts, My King, and my God.
4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: They will be still praising thee. [Selah
5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; In whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6Passing through the valley of Weeping they make it a place of springs; Yea, the early rain covereth it with blessings.
7They go from strength to strength; Every one of them appeareth before God in Zion.
8O Jehovah God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob. [Selah
9Behold, O God our shield, And look upon the face of thine anointed.
10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11For Jehovah God is a sun and a shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12O Jehovah of hosts, Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
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