To the Director: On the Gittith.
A Psalm by the descendants of Korah.

Longing for God

1How lovely are your dwelling places,

LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

2I desire and long

for the Templea courts of the LORD.

My heart and bodyb sing for joy

to the living God.c

3Even the sparrow found a house for herself

and the swallow a nest

to layd her young at your altar,

LORD of the Heavenly Armies,

my king and God.

4How happy are those who live in your Temple,

for they can praise you continuously.

Interlude

5How happy are those whose strength is in you,

whose heart is on your path.

6They will pass through the Baca Valley

where he will prepare a spring for them;

even the early rain will cover it with blessings.

7They will walk from strength to strength;

each will appear before God in Zion.

8LORD God of the Heavenly Armies, hear my prayer!

Listen, God of Jacob!

Interlude

9God, look at our shield,

and show favor to your anointed,

10for a day in your Templee courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather stand

at the entrance of God’s house

than live in the tent of wickedness.

11For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD grants grace and favor;

the LORD will not withhold any good thing

from those who walk blamelessly.

12LORD of Heavenly Armies,

how happy are those who trust in you.