Afternoon Prayer

Psalm 84 1How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! * My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. 2The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; * by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 3Happy are they who dwell in your house! * they will always be praising you. 4Happy are the people whose strength is in you! * whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way. 5Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, * for the early rains have covered it with pools of water. 6They will climb from height to height, * and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion. 7LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God of Jacob. 8Behold our defender, O God; * and look upon the face of your Anointed. 9For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, * and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. 10For the LORD God is both sun and shield; * he will give grace and glory; 11No good thing will the LORD withhold * from those who walk with integrity. 12O LORD of hosts, * happy are they who put their trust in you!