1. How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts, to me!

My thirsty soul desires and longs, within thy courts to be;

my very heart and flesh cry out, O living God, for thee.

2. Beside thine altars, gracious Lord, the swallows find a nest;

how happy they who dwell with thee and praise thee without rest,

and happy they whose hearts are set upon the pilgrim’s quest.

3. They who go through the desert vale will find it filled with springs,

and they shall climb from height to height till Zion’s temple rings

with praise to thee, in glory throned, Lord God, great King of kings.

4. One day within thy courts excels a thousand spent away;

how happy they who keep thy laws nor from thy precepts stray,

for thou shalt surely bless all those who live the words they pray.