New King James Version
Psalms 27:4
4One 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.
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 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 the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 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. 5For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises 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 26:8Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.
- Luke 10:42But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
- Philippians 3:13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
- Psalms 27:8When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
- Jeremiah 29:13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
- Daniel 9:3Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
- Matthew 6:33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall 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 11:9“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 gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
- Luke 18:1Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
- Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
- Psalms 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
- Psalms 26:6I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
- Psalms 65:4Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
- Psalms 84:4Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be 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
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries