For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1LORD who rules over all, how lovely is the place where you live!2I can’t wait to be in the courtyards of the LORD’s temple. I really want to be there. My whole being cries out for the living God.3LORD who rules over all, even the sparrow has found a home near your altar. My King and my God, the swallow also has a nest there, where she may have her young.4Blessed are those who live in your house. They are always praising you.5Blessed are those whose strength comes from you. They have firmly decided to travel to your temple.6As they pass through the dry Valley of Baka, they make it a place where water flows. The rain in the fall covers it with pools.7Those people get stronger as they go along, until each of them appears in Zion, where God lives.8LORD God who rules over all, hear my prayer. God of the people of Jacob, listen to me.9God, may you be pleased with your anointed king. You appointed him to be like a shield that keeps us safe.10A single day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather guard the door of the house of my God than live in the tents of sinful people.11The LORD God is like the sun that gives us light. He is like a shield that keeps us safe. The LORD blesses us with favour and honour. He doesn’t hold back anything good from those whose lives are without blame.12LORD who rules over all, blessed is the person who trusts in you.