New Living Translation
Psalms 27:4
4The 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.
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 people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. 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. 5For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.
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 26:8I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
- Luke 10:42There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- Philippians 3:13No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
- Psalms 27:8My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
- Jeremiah 29:13If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
- Daniel 9:3So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.
- Matthew 6:33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
- Matthew 7:7“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
- Luke 11:9“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
- Luke 13:24“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
- Luke 18:1One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
- Hebrews 11:6And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
- Psalms 23:6Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
- Psalms 26:6I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord,
- Psalms 65:4What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple.
- Psalms 84:4What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude
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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