The Joy of Worshiping in the Temple

¹ For the music director; on the Gittith. Of the sons of Korah. A psalm.¹ How lovely are your dwelling places, O Yahweh of hosts!

1. The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one

² My soul longs and even fails for the courtyards of Yahweh. My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

³ Even a bird finds a home, and a swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, near your altars, O Yahweh of hosts, my king and my God.

⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;¹ they can ever praise you. Selah

1. Or “temple”

⁵ Blessed is the man whose strength is in you; in their heart are the highways to Zion.

⁶ Passing through the Valley of Baca,¹ they make it a spring. The early rain covers it with blessings² as well.

1. Or “Valley of Weeping”
2. A change in vocalization of the Hebrew yields “it with pools”

⁷ They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.¹

1. Or “the God of gods will be seen in Zion”

⁸ O Yahweh, God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah

⁹ Look at our shield, O God, and have regard for the face of your anointed one.

¹⁰ Because better is a day in your courtyards than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be at the threshold of the house¹ of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

1. Or “temple”

¹¹ Because Yahweh God is a sun and a shield; Yahweh gives grace and honor. He does not withhold good from those who walk blamelessly.

¹² O Yahweh of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts you.