Psalms 27:4

Psalms 27:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
• New International Version (NIV)One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
• English Standard Version (ESV)One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
• New King James Version (NKJV)One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.

Context of Psalms 27:4

2When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell. 3Though an army deploys against me, my heart will not be afraid; though a war breaks out against me, I will still be confident. I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple. 5For he will conceal me in his shelter in the day of adversity; he will hide me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. 6Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Psalms 27:4 word by word

אַחַ֤ת׀ שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי מֵֽאֵת־יְהוָה֮ אוֹתָ֪הּ אֲבַ֫קֵּ֥שׁ שִׁבְתִּ֣י בְּבֵית־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיַּ֑י לַחֲז֥וֹת בְּנֹֽעַם־יְ֝הוָ֗ה וּלְבַקֵּ֥ר בְּהֵיכָלֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• have I desiredשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• that will I seekבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• after; that I may dwellיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• in the houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: templeH1004
• all the daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• of my lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
• to beholdחָזָהchâzâh · to seeH2372
• the beautyנֹ֫עַםnô‛am · pleasantnessH5278
• and to enquireבָּקַרbâqar · to enquireH1239
• in his templeהֵיכָלhêykâl · templeH1964

Cross-references for Psalms 27:4

• Psalms 26:8Lord, I love the house where you dwell, the place where your glory resides.
• Luke 10:42but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
• Philippians 3:13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
• Psalms 27:8My heart says this about you: “Seek his face.” Lord, I will seek your face.
• Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
• Daniel 9:3So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
• Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
• Matthew 7:7“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.
• Luke 11:9“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.
• Luke 13:24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able
• Luke 18:1Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up.
• Hebrews 11:6Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
• Psalms 23:6Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
• Psalms 26:6I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, Lord,
• Psalms 65:4How happy is the one you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple.
• Psalms 84:4How happy are those who reside in your house, who praise you continually.Selah

Commentaries on Psalms 27:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4One thing have I desired - If I am grown too old, and from that circumstance unable to serve my country, I shall then prefer a retirement to the tabernacle, there to serve God the rest of my days. There I shall behold his glory, and there I may inquire and get important answers respecting Israel. But though these words may be thus interpreted, on the above supposition, that David penned the Psalm on the occasion of his escape from the Philistine, and the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4One thing have I desired of the Lord - One main object; one thing that I have especially desired; one thing which has been the object of my constant wish. This ruling desire of his heart the psalmist has more than once adverted to in the previous psalms (compare Psalm 23:6; Psalm 26:8); and he frequently refers to it in the subsequent psalms. That will I seek after - As the leading object of my life; as the thing which I most earnestly desire. That I may…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-6Seeking and enjoying the Lord's presence gives the psalmist confidence and security. He trusts in God's protection and looks forward to giving thanks and praise (see Psalm 18:6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psa 16:11; 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7). There he is safe (Psa 31:21; 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 27:4

• Affections
• Assurance
• Beauty
• Church
• God
• Seekers
• Tabernacle
• Testimony
• Worship

In the dictionaries

• Believe
• Deliver
• Hide
• Salvation
• Beauty
• Inquire
• Psalms, Book of

Commentaries on Psalms 27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings