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

2Evildoers closed in on me to tear me to pieces. My opponents and enemies stumbled and fell. 3Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I will still have confidence ⌞in the Lord⌟. I have asked one thing from the Lord. This I will seek: to remain in the Lord’s house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the Lord’s beauty and to search for an answer in his temple. 5He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He sets me high on a rock. 6Now my head will be raised above my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy in his tent. I will sing and make music to praise 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 26:8O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.
• Luke 10:42There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her.”
• Philippians 3:13Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and
• Psalms 27:8⌞When you said,⌟ “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “O Lord, I will seek your face.”
• Jeremiah 29:13When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me,
• Daniel 9:3So I turned to the Lord God and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.
• Matthew 6:33But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.
• Matthew 7:7“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
• Luke 11:9“So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you.
• Luke 13:24“Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won’t succeed.
• Luke 18:1Jesus used this illustration with his disciples to show them that they need to pray all the time and never give up.
• Hebrews 11:6No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
• Psalms 23:6Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the Lord’s house for days without end.
• Psalms 26:6I will wash my hands in innocence. I will walk around your altar, O Lord,
• Psalms 65:4Blessed is the person you choose and invite to live with you in your courtyards. We will be filled with good food from your house, from your holy temple.
• Psalms 84:4Blessed are those who live in your house. They are always praising you. 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