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 upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3If an army encamps against me, My heart will not fear; If war arises against me, In spite of this I am confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall 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 meditate in His temple. 5For on the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; He will hide me in the secret place of His tent; He will lift me up on a rock. 6And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises 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

• Oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• I have askedשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
• from the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• that I shall seekבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• dwellיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• in the houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: templeH1004
• allכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• the daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
• To beholdחָזָהchâzâh · to seeH2372
• beautyנֹ֫עַםnô‛am · pleasantnessH5278
• meditateבָּקַרbâqar · to enquireH1239
• in His templeהֵיכָלhêykâl · templeH1964

Cross-references for Psalms 27:4

• Psalms 26:8Lord, I love the dwelling of Your house, And the place where Your glory remains.
• Luke 10:42but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
• Philippians 3:13Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
• Psalms 27:8When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “I shall seek Your face, Lord.”
• Jeremiah 29:13And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
• Daniel 9:3So I gave my attention to the Lord God, to seek Him by prayer and pleading, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
• Matthew 6:33But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided 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 11:9“So I say to 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 18:1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged,
• Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.
• Psalms 23:6Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.
• Psalms 26:6I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go around Your altar, Lord,
• Psalms 65:4Blessed is the one You choose and allow to approach You; He will dwell in Your courtyards. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.
• Psalms 84:4Blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever 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