Psalms  ◦   Chapter 84

1How I love your sanctuary — your dwelling place —
O Creator God!

2My inmost self desperately craves your presence —
to be in the courts where you dwell;
my heart, my body — my entire being cries out
for the God of life.

3Even the sparrow has a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may care for her young —
near your altar,
O Creator and Sustainer of all, my King and my God.

4Oh what health and happiness for those who live in your house —
lives of constant love and praise for you.

5What health and happiness for those whose strength comes from you —
who set their hearts on finding you.

6As they pass through life’s valley of sorrows,
you make it a place of renewal with life-giving springs;
the rains become refreshing pools.

7They gain strength with each victory in life,
until they appear before God in Zion.

8O Lord, Mighty Creator God, hear my prayer;
listen to me, O God who Jacob trusted.

9Take notice of our shield — the king;
look favorably upon your anointed one.

10Better is one day spent in the courts where you dwell
than a thousand away from you;
I would rather stand at the entrance to the house of my God
than live in comfort in the tents of the wicked.

11For the Lord God is our life-giving sun and our protective shield,
providing continual grace to transform us to his glorious ideal;
he will withhold nothing that is good
from those who choose to live in harmony with his design.

12O Creator God,
healthy and happy is the person who trusts in you.