The Message Bible MSG
Young's Literal Translation YLT
1 What a beautiful home, God of the Angel Armies! I've always longed to live in a place like this,
1
To the Overseer. -- `On the Gittith By sons of Korah.' -- A Psalm. How beloved Thy tabernacles, Jehovah of Hosts!
2 Always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
2
My soul desired, yea, it hath also been consumed, For the courts of Jehovah, My heart and my flesh cry aloud unto the living God,
3 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. God of the Angel Armies! King! God!
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(Even a sparrow hath found a house, And a swallow a nest for herself, Where she hath placed her brood,) Thine altars, O Jehovah of Hosts, My king and my God.
4 How blessed they are to live and sing there!
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O the happiness of those inhabiting Thy house, Yet do they praise Thee. Selah.
5 And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel;
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O the happiness of a man whose strength is in Thee, Highways [are] in their heart.
6 They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
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Those passing through a valley of weeping, A fountain do make it, Blessings also cover the director.
7 God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn - Zion! God in full view!
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They go from strength unto strength, He appeareth unto God in Zion.
8 God of the Angel Armies, listen: O God of Jacob, open your ears - I'm praying!
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O Jehovah, God of Hosts, hear my prayer, Give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Look at our shields, glistening in the sun, our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.
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Our shield, see, O God, And behold the face of Thine anointed,
10 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
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For good [is] a day in Thy courts, O Teacher! I have chosen rather to be at the threshold, In the house of my God, Than to dwell in tents of wickedness.
11 All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory. He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions.
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For a sun and a shield [is] Jehovah God, Grace and honour doth Jehovah give. He withholdeth not good To those walking in uprightness.
12 It's smooth sailing all the way with God of the Angel Armies.
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Jehovah of Hosts! O the happiness of a man trusting in Thee.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.