[1] How lovely is Your temple, Your dwelling place on earth, O Eternal One, Commander of heaven's armies. [2] How I long to be there-my soul is spent, wanting, waiting to walk in the courts of the Eternal. My whole being sings joyfully to the living God. [3] Just as the sparrow seeks her home, and the swallow finds in her own nest a place to lay her young, I, too, seek Your altars, my King and my God, Commander of heaven's armies. [4] How blessed are those who make Your house their home, who live with You; they are constantly praising You. [pause] [5] Blessed are those who make You their strength, for they treasure every step of the journey [to Zion]. [6] On their way through the valley of Baca, they stop and dig wells to collect the refreshing spring water, and the early rains fill the pools. [7] They journey from place to place, gaining strength along the way; until they meet God in Zion. [8] O Eternal God, Commander of heaven's armies, listen to my prayer. O please listen, God of Jacob. [pause] [9] O True God, look at our shield, our protector, see the face of Your anointed king, and defend our defender. [10] Just one day in the courts of Your temple is greater than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather serve as a porter at my God's doorstep than live in luxury in the house of the wicked. [11] For the Eternal God is a sun and a shield. The Eternal grants favor and glory; He doesn't deny any good thing to those who live with integrity. [12] O Eternal One, Commander of heaven's armies, how fortunate are those who trust You.
