Longing for God's House+

1How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!

2How I want to be there!

I long to be in the Lord's Temple.

With my whole being I sing for joy

to the living God.

3Even the sparrows have built a nest,

and the swallows have their own home;

they keep their young near your altars,

Lord Almighty, my king and my God.

4How happy are those who live in your Temple,

always singing praise to you.

5How happy are those whose strength comes from you,

who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.

6As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,

it becomes a place of springs;

the autumn rain fills it with pools.

7They grow stronger as they go;

they will see the God of gods on Zion.

8Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.

Listen, O God of Jacob!

9Bless our king, O God,

the king you have chosen.

10One day spent in your Temple

is better than a thousand anywhere else;

I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God

than live in the homes of the wicked.

11The Lord is our protector and glorious king,

blessing us with kindness and honor.

He does not refuse any good thing

to those who do what is right.

12Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!