6 The word translated “swallow” occurs only here and in Prov 26:2.
7 Heb “even a bird finds a home, and a swallow a nest for herself, [in] which she places her young.” The psalmist here romanticizes the temple as a place of refuge and safety. As he thinks of the birds nesting near its roof, he envisions them finding protection in God’s presence.
8 The Hebrew noun is an abstract plural. The word often refers metonymically to the happiness that God-given security and prosperity produce (see v. 12 and Pss 1:1; 2:12; 34:9; 41:1; 65:4; 89:15; 106:3; 112:1; 127:5; 128:1; 144:15).
9 Heb “[Oh] the happiness [of] the man.” Hebrew literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The principle stated here was certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender or age. To facilitate modern application, we translate the gender and age specific “man” with the plural “those.” The individual referred to in v. 5a is representative of followers of God, as the use of plural forms in vv. 5b–7 indicates.
10 Heb “roads [are] in their heart[s].” The roads are here those that lead to Zion (see v. 7).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O Lord of hosts,

my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

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.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Even a sparrow finds a home,

and a swallow, a nest for herself

where she places her young—

near your altars, Lord of Armies,

my King and my God.

How happy are those who reside in your house,

who praise you continually.

Selah

Happy are the people whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

NLTNew Living Translation

Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young

at a place near your altar,

O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

What joy for those who can live in your house,

always singing your praises.

Interlude

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,

who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Even a bird finds a home, and a swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

near your altars, O Yahweh of hosts,

my king and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they can ever praise you. Selah

Blessed is the man whose strength is in you;

in their heart are the highways to Zion.

KJV 1900King James Version

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,

And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,

Even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:

They will be still praising thee. Selah.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;

In whose heart are the ways of them.

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