Psalms 84

1 How lovely [amiable, dearly loved] is Your dwelling place [tabernacles, tents, holy temple], O LORD [Yehovah, Commander of the armies of angels] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces]! word study 2 My soul [longs with deep desire, yearns] longs, even [completely, utterly] faints, for the courts [the dwelling place, the house] of the LORD [Yehovah, the living God]; my heart [my inner being, mind] and my flesh [my whole person, body] cry out [sing for joy, shout aloud] for the living [all-powerful, eternal] God. word study 3 Even the sparrow [a small, insignificant bird] has found a home [a place to rest], and the swallow [a bird that migrates] a nest for herself, where she places [lays, sets] her young near Your altars [places of sacrifice, worship], O LORD of Hosts [the commander of the armies of heaven], my King [ruler, sovereign] and my God [Elohim, the supreme Creator]. word study 4 How blessed [truly happy, fortunate] are those who dwell [reside, live] in Your house [temple, place of worship]! They are ever [always, continually] praising [glorifying, honoring] You [the Lord]. Selah word study 5 Blessed [happy, fortunate] are those whose strength [power, ability] is in You [the Lord, Almighty God], whose hearts [inner beings, minds] are set [determined, focused] on pilgrimage [a journey to a sacred place, a path of devotion]. word study 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca [the dry valley, a place of weeping], they make it a place of springs [fountains, sources of water]; even the autumn rain [early rain, the rainy season] covers it with pools [blessings, a fountain]. word study 7 They go [from one level of spiritual maturity to another] from strength [inner power, courage] to strength [victory, might], until each [person] appears [stands, presents himself] before God [the Almighty, Creator] in [the city of, the spiritual location of] Zion [the heavenly Jerusalem]. word study 8 O LORD [the supreme God, Yehovah] God of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], hear my prayer [listen to my request]; give ear [pay attention], O God [Elohim, the one true God] of Jacob [the father of the Israelites]. Selah [pause, reflect] word study 9 Take notice [behold, look upon] of our shield [defender, protector], O God [Elohim, the one supreme God], and look with favor [be gracious, show kindness] on the face [presence, countenance] of Your anointed [chosen one, king]. word study 10 For better [more desirable, preferable] is one day [a single day, a brief time] in Your [God’s, the Lord’s] courts [presence, temple] than a thousand [many, numerous] elsewhere [in other places, outside]. I would rather [prefer, choose] be a doorkeeper [gatekeeper, servant] in the house [temple, dwelling place] of my God [Elohim, the supreme God] than dwell [live, reside] in the tents [homes, dwellings] of the wicked [unrighteous, sinful]. word study 11 For the LORD God [Elohim, the supreme God] is a sun [shining brightly, life-giving] and a shield [protecting, defending]; the LORD gives [bestows, imparts] grace [unmerited favor, loving-kindness] and glory [honor, splendor]; He withholds [refrains from giving, keeps back] no good thing [benefit, blessing] from those who walk [live, conduct themselves] with integrity [uprightness, moral wholeness]. word study 12 O [Lord Almighty, commander of the armies of heaven] LORD of Hosts [God of the heavenly armies], how blessed [happy, fortunate] is the man who trusts [puts his faith, has confidence] in You [Yehovah]! word study