1 How lovely are your dwelling places,

O Yahweh of hosts!

2 My soul longs and even fails

for the courtyards of Yahweh.

My heart and flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

3 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.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;b

they can ever praise you. Selah

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in you;

in their heart are the highways to Zion.

6 Passing through the Valley of Baca,c

they make it a spring.

The early rain covers it with blessingsd as well.

7 They go from strength to strength,

until each appears before God in Zion.e

8 O Yahweh, God of hosts, hear my prayer;

give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah

9 Look at our shield, O God,

and have regard for the face of your anointed one.

10 Because better is a day in your courtyards

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be at the threshold of the housef of my God

than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 Because Yahweh God is a sun and a shield;

Yahweh gives grace and honor.

He does not withhold good from those who walk blamelessly.

12 O Yahweh of hosts,

blessed is the man who trusts you.