Psalms 84:2-11

84:2 I desperately want to be

in the courts of the Lord’s temple.

My heart and my entire being shout for joy

to the living God.

84:3 Even the birds find a home there,

and the swallow builds a nest,

where she can protect her young

near your altars, O Lord who rules over all,

my king and my God.

84:4 How blessed are those who live in your temple

and praise you continually! (Selah)

84:5 How blessed are those who find their strength in you,

and long to travel the roads that lead to your temple!

84:6 As they pass through the Baca Valley,

he provides a spring for them.

The rain even covers it with pools of water.

84:7 They are sustained as they travel along;

each one appears before God in Zion.

84:8 O Lord, sovereign God,

hear my prayer!

Listen, O God of Jacob! (Selah)

84:9 O God, take notice of our shield!

Show concern for your chosen king!

84:10 Certainly spending just one day in your temple courts is better

than spending a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather stand at the entrance to the temple of my God

than live in the tents of the wicked.

84:11 For the Lord God is our sovereign protector.

The Lord bestows favor and honor;

he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity.