Psalm 84 (St Agnes CM)

1 How lovely is thy dwelling-place,O Lord of hosts, to me!The tabernacles of thy gracehow pleasant, Lord, they be!2 My thirsty soul longs veh’mently,yea faints, thy courts to see:My very heart and flesh cry out,O living God, for thee.3 Behold, the sparrow findeth outan house wherein to rest;The swallow also for herselfhath purchased a nest;Ev’n thine own altars,* where she safeher young ones forth may bring,O thou almighty Lord of hosts,who art my God and King.4 Blessed are they in thy house that dwell,they ever give thee praise.5 Blessed is the man whose strength thou art,in whose heart are thy ways:6 Who passing thorough Baca’s vale,therein do dig up wells;Also the rain that falleth downthe pools with water fills.7 So they from strength unwearied gostill forward unto strength,Until in Zion they appearbefore the Lord at length.8 Lord God of hosts, my prayer hear;O Jacob’s God, give ear.9 See God our shield, look on the faceof thine anointed dear.10 For in thy courts one day excelsa thousand; rather inMy God’s house will I keep a door,than dwell in tents of sin.11 For God the Lord’s a sun and shield:he’ll grace and glory give;And will withhold no good from themthat uprightly do live.12 O thou that art the Lord of hosts,that man is truly blest,Who by assured confidenceon thee alone doth rest.