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 evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall. 3Even when an army is deployed against me, I do not fear. Even when war is imminent, I remain confident. I have asked the Lord for one thing – this is what I desire! I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple. 5He will surely give me shelter in the day of danger; he will hide me in his home; he will place me on an inaccessible rocky summit. 6Now I will triumph over my enemies who surround me! I will offer sacrifices in his dwelling place and shout for joy! 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

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 temple where you live, the place where your splendor is revealed.
• Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”
• Philippians 3:13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,
• Psalms 27:8My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O Lord.
• Jeremiah 29:13When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,
• Daniel 9:3So I turned my attention to the Lord God to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
• Matthew 6:33But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
• Matthew 7:7“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.
• Luke 11:9“So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
• Luke 13:24“Exert every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
• Luke 18:1Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart.
• Hebrews 11:6Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
• Psalms 23:6Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.
• Psalms 26:6I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O Lord,
• Psalms 65:4How blessed is the one whom you choose, and allow to live in your palace courts. May we be satisfied with the good things of your house – your holy palace.
• Psalms 84:4How blessed are those who live in your temple and 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