1 Or “your dwelling place[s].” The plural form of the noun may indicate degree or quality; this is the Lord’s special dwelling place (see Pss 43:3; 46:4; 132:5, 7).
2 Traditionally, “Lord of hosts.” The title draws attention to God’s sovereign position (see Ps 69:6).
3 Heb “my soul longs, it even pines for.”
4 Heb “the courts of the Lord” (see Ps 65:4).
5 Heb “my flesh,” which stands for his whole person and being.
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).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, faints

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

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

NIVNew International Version (2011)

How lovely is your dwelling place,

Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

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.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

How lovely is your dwelling place,

Lord of Armies.

I long and yearn

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

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

NLTNew Living Translation

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

I long, yes, I faint with longing

to enter the courts of the Lord.

With my whole being, body and soul,

I will shout joyfully to the living God.

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

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

How lovely are your dwelling places,

O Yahweh of hosts!

My soul longs and even fails

for the courtyards of Yahweh.

My heart and flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

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

KJV 1900King James Version

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:

My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

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.

Public Domain