Psalm 84 - Longing for the Courts of the LORD
A pilgrim psalm of longing, from the sparrow's nest to the doorkeeper's post.
Psalm 84 captures a pilgrim's longing for the temple, where even 'the sparrow hath found an house' near the altar of the LORD of hosts. It sits among the Psalms overview as one of the most personal expressions of desire for God's presence in the whole collection.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O יהוה of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of יהוה: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living El.
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O יהוה of hosts, my King, and my Elohim.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before Elohim.
O יהוה Elohim of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O Elohim of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O Elohim our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Elohim, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For יהוה Elohim is a sun and shield: יהוה will give favour and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
O יהוה of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.