[1] How lovely is your Temple, O Lord of the armies of heaven. [2] I long, yes, faint with longing to be able to enter your courtyard and come near to the Living God. [3] Even the sparrows and swallows are welcome to come and nest among your altars and there have their young, O Lord of heaven's armies, my King and my God! [4] How happy are those who can live in your Temple, singing your praises. [5] Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. [6] When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains! [7] They will grow constantly in strength, and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion. [8] O Jehovah, God of the heavenly armies, hear my prayer! Listen, God of Israel. [9] O God, our Defender and our Shield, have mercy on the one you have anointed as your king. [10] A single day spent in your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a doorman of the Temple of my God than live in palaces of wickedness. [11] For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will he withhold from those who walk along his paths. [12] O Lord of the armies of heaven, blessed are those who trust in you.
