1 How lovely is thy dwelling-place,O Lord of hosts, to me!The tabernacles of thy gracehow pleasant, Lord, they be!
2 My thirsty soul longs veh'mently,yea faints, thy courts to see:My very heart and flesh cry out,O living God, for thee.
3 Behold, the sparrow findeth outan house wherein to rest;The swallow also for herselfhath purchased a nest;Ev'n thine own altars, where she safeher young ones forth may bring,O thou almighty Lord of hosts,who art my God and King.
4 Bless'd are they in thy house that dwell,they ever give thee praise.
5 Bless'd is the man whose strength thou art,in whose heart are thy ways:
6 Who passing thorough Baca's vale,therein do dig up wells;Also the rain that falleth downthe pools with water fills.
7 So they from strength unwearied gostill forward unto strength,Until in Sion they appearbefore the Lord at length.
8 Lord God of hosts, my prayer hear;O Jacob's God, give ear.
9 See God our shield, look on the faceof thine anointed dear.
10 For in thy courts one day excelsa thousand; rather inMy God's house will I keep a door,than dwell in tents of sin.
11 For God the Lord's a sun and shield:he'll grace and glory give;And will withhold no good from themthat uprightly do live.
12 O thou that art the Lord of hosts,that man is truly blest,Who by assured confidenceon thee alone doth rest.