English Standard Version
Psalms 27:4
4One 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
Context of Psalms 27:4
2When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 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. 5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Read all of Psalms 27Psalms 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 26:8O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
- Luke 10:42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
- Philippians 3:13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
- Psalms 27:8You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek."
- Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
- Daniel 9:3Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
- Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Matthew 7:7"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
- Luke 11:9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
- Luke 13:24"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
- Luke 18:1And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
- Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
- Psalms 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
- Psalms 26:6I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord,
- Psalms 65:4Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
- Psalms 84:4Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! 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
In the dictionaries
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
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Commentaries