Psalms 27:4

God's presence Praise and worship Stillness and meditation

² When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

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.

⁵ For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

⁶ And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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.
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.
WEB: One thing I have asked of the LORD, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, to see the LORD’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.
ASV: One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.
DARBY: One [thing] have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah, and to inquire [of him] in his temple.
BLB: One [thing] I have asked from YHWH—it do I seek—that I may dwell in the house of YHWH all the days of my life, to look on the beauty of YHWH, and to inquire in His temple.

ÅB: Én ting har jeg bedt Herren om;
det lengter jeg etter:
at jeg må bo i Herrens hus alle mitt livs dager,
for å skue Herrens skjønnhet
og granske i tempelet hans.
OTB: Én ting har jeg bedt Herren om, dette vil jeg søke:
At jeg kan bo i Herrens hus alle mine livs dager,
Å skue Herrens skjønnhet
Og å reflektere i Hans tempel.
B1930: Én ting har jeg bedt Herren om, det stunder jeg efter, at jeg må bo i Herrens hus alle mitt livs dager for å skue Herrens liflighet og grunde i hans tempel.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 26:8
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
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Psalms 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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Psalms 65:4
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
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Psalms 84:10
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
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Psalms 84:4
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
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Luke 10:42
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
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Psalms 63:2–5
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
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Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
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