1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,

LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you. [fn3]

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools. [fn4]

7 They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;

listen to me, God of Jacob.

9 Look on our shield, [fn5] O God;

look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

12 LORD Almighty,

blessed is the one who trusts in you.