Psalms 27:4

One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly, articulating a singular priority while surrounded by threats of encamped armies and breaking war.

The words — אַחַת ('a.Chat) means "one [thing]" and שָׁאַלְתִּי (sha.'al.ti) translates to "I have asked," structuring the verse as a focused petition for sustained presence.

The thread — The theme of dwelling in God’s house appears in Psalms 23:6 and 65:4, while Psalm 26:8 records the psalmist’s love for the location of God’s glory.

Why it lands — The text requires a reader to fix their attention on continuous communion with God and to actively pursue His presence rather than rely on passive observation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

אַחַ֤ת׀'a.Chatone [thing]שָׁאַ֣לְתִּיsha.'Al.tiI have asked מֵֽאֵת־me./'et-from/ with יְהוָה֮Yah.wehYahweh אוֹתָ֪הּ'o.Ta/h<obj.>/ it אֲבַ֫קֵּ֥שׁ'a.Va.KeshI will seek שִׁבְתִּ֣יshiv.T/ito dwell/ I בְּבֵית־be./veit-in/ [the] house of יְ֭הוָהYah.wehYahweh כָּל־kol-all יְמֵ֣יye.Mei[the] days of חַיַּ֑יchai.Ya/ilife/ my לַחֲז֥וֹתla./cha.Zotto/ look בְּנֹֽעַם־be./no.'am-on/ [the] kindness of יְ֝הוָ֗הYah.wehYahweh וּלְבַקֵּ֥רu./le./va.Kerand/ to/ inquire בְּהֵיכָלֽוֹ׃be./hei.kha.L/oin/ temple/ his

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Psalms 26:8 O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 65:4 Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.
Psalms 84:10 For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalms 84:4 How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah
Luke 10:42 But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Psalms 63:2 So I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Psalms 27:8 My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.