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Selected Verse: Psalms 27:4 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 27:4	Strong Concordance	One [0259] thing have I desired [07592] of the LORD [03068], that will I seek [01245] after; that I may dwell [03427] in the house [01004] of the LORD [03068] all the days [03117] of my life [02416], to behold [02372] the beauty [05278] of the LORD [03068], and to enquire [01239] in his temple [01964].
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psa 16:11; Psa 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7). There he is safe (Psa 31:21; Psa 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psa 16:11; Psa 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7). There he is safe (Psa 31:21; Psa 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
One thing have I desired of the Lord - One main object; one thing that I have especially desired; one thing which has been the object of my constant wish. This ruling desire of his heart the psalmist has more than once adverted to in the previous psalms (compare Psa 23:6; Psa 26:8); and he frequently refers to it in the subsequent psalms. That will I seek after - As the leading object of my life; as the thing which I most earnestly desire. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord - See the notes at Psa 23:6. All the days of my life - Constantly; to the end. Though engaged in other things, and though there were other objects of interest in the world, yet he felt that it would be supreme felicity on earth to dwell always in the temple of God, and to be employed in its sacred services, preparatory to an eternal residence in the temple above. To him the service of God upon earth was not burdensome, nor did he anticipate that he would ever become weary of praising his Maker. How can a man be prepared for an eternal heaven who finds the worship of God on earth irksome and tedious? To behold the beauty of the Lord - Margin, "the delight." The word rendered "beauty" here - נעם nô‛am - means properly "pleasantness;" then, "beauty, splendor;" then, "grace, favor." The reference here is to the beauty or loveliness of the divine character as it was particularly manifested in the public worship of God, or by those symbols which in the ancient worship were designed to make that character known. In the tabernacle and in the temple there was a manifestation of the character of God not seen elsewhere. The whole worship was adapted to set forth his greatness, his glory, and his grace. Great truths were brought before the mind, fitted to elevate, to comfort, and to sanctify the soul; and it was in the contemplation of those truths that the psalmist sought to elevate and purify his own mind, and to sustain himself in the troubles and perplexities of life. Compare Psa 73:15-17. And to inquire in his temple - Or tabernacle. The word used here would be applicable to either, considered as the "palace" or the residence of Yahweh. As the temple was not, however, built at this time, the word must here be understood to refer to the tabernacle. See the notes at Psa 5:7. The meaning of the passage is, that he would wish to seek instruction, or to obtain light on the great questions pertaining to God, and that he looked for this light in the place where God was worshipped, and by means of the views which that worship was adapted to convey to the mind. In a manner still more direct and full may we now hope to obtain just views of God by attendance on his worship. The Christian sanctuary - the place of public worship - is the place where, if anywhere on earth, we may hope to have our minds enlightened; our perplexities removed; our hearts comforted and sanctifed, by right views of God.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

One thing have I desired of the Lord - One main object; one thing that I have especially desired; one thing which has been the object of my constant wish. This ruling desire of his heart the psalmist has more than once adverted to in the previous psalms (compare Psa 23:6; Psa 26:8); and he frequently refers to it in the subsequent psalms.

That will I seek after - As the leading object of my life; as the thing which I most earnestly desire.

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord - See the notes at Psa 23:6.

All the days of my life - Constantly; to the end. Though engaged in other things, and though there were other objects of interest in the world, yet he felt that it would be supreme felicity on earth to dwell always in the temple of God, and to be employed in its sacred services, preparatory to an eternal residence in the temple above. To him the service of God upon earth was not burdensome, nor did he anticipate that he would ever become weary of praising his Maker. How can a man be prepared for an eternal heaven who finds the worship of God on earth irksome and tedious?

To behold the beauty of the Lord - Margin, "the delight." The word rendered "beauty" here - נעם nô‛am - means properly "pleasantness;" then, "beauty, splendor;" then, "grace, favor." The reference here is to the beauty or loveliness of the divine character as it was particularly manifested in the public worship of God, or by those symbols which in the ancient worship were designed to make that character known. In the tabernacle and in the temple there was a manifestation of the character of God not seen elsewhere. The whole worship was adapted to set forth his greatness, his glory, and his grace. Great truths were brought before the mind, fitted to elevate, to comfort, and to sanctify the soul; and it was in the contemplation of those truths that the psalmist sought to elevate and purify his own mind, and to sustain himself in the troubles and perplexities of life. Compare Psa 73:15-17.

And to inquire in his temple - Or tabernacle. The word used here would be applicable to either, considered as the "palace" or the residence of Yahweh. As the temple was not, however, built at this time, the word must here be understood to refer to the tabernacle. See the notes at Psa 5:7. The meaning of the passage is, that he would wish to seek instruction, or to obtain light on the great questions pertaining to God, and that he looked for this light in the place where God was worshipped, and by means of the views which that worship was adapted to convey to the mind. In a manner still more direct and full may we now hope to obtain just views of God by attendance on his worship. The Christian sanctuary - the place of public worship - is the place where, if anywhere on earth, we may hope to have our minds enlightened; our perplexities removed; our hearts comforted and sanctifed, by right views of God.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
There is only one thing, that he desires, although he also has besides full satisfaction in Jahve in the midst of strangers and in trouble. The future is used side by side with the perfect in Psa 27:4, in order to express an ardent longing which extends out of the past into the future, and therefore runs through his whole life. The one thing sought is unfolded in שׁבתּי וגו. A life-long dwelling in the house of Jahve, that is to say intimate spiritual intercourse with the God, who has His dwelling (בית), His palace (היכל) in the holy tent, is the one desire of David's heart, in order that he may behold and feast upon (חזה בּ of a clinging, lingering, chained gaze, and consequently a more significant form of expression than חזה with an accusative, Psa 63:3) נעם ה (Psa 90:17), the pleasantness (or gracefulness) of Jahve, i.e., His revelation, full of grace, which is there visible to the eye of the spirit. The interpretation which regards amaenitas as being equivalent to amaenus cultus takes hold of the idea from the wrong side. The assertion that בּקּר בּ is intended as a synonym of חזה בּ, of a pleased and lingering contemplation (Hupf., Hitz.), is contrary to the meaning of the verb, which signifies "to examine (with ל to seek or spie about after anything, Lev 13:36), to reflect on, or consider;" even the post-biblical signification to visit, more especially the sick (whence בּקּוּר הלים), comes from the primary meaning investigare. An appropriate sense may be obtained in the present instance by regarding it as a denominative from בּקשׁ and rendering it as Dunash and Rashi have done, "and to appear early in His temple;" but it is unnecessary to depart from the general usage of the language. Hengstenberg rightly retains the signification "to meditate on." בּהיכלו is a designation of the place consecrated to devotion, and לבקּר is meant to refer to contemplative meditation that loses itself in God who is there manifest. In Psa 27:5 David bases the justification of his desire upon that which the sanctuary of God is to him; the futures affirm what Jahve will provide for him in His sanctuary. It is a refuge in which he may hide himself, where Jahve takes good care of him who takes refuge therein from the storms of trouble that rage outside: there he is far removed from all dangers, he is lifted high above them and his feet are upon rocky ground. The Chethb may be read בּסכּה, as in Psa 31:21 and with Ewald 257, d; but, in this passage, with אהל alternates סך, which takes the place of סכּה in the poetic style (Psa 76:3; Lam 2:6), though it does not do so by itself, but always with a suffix. (Note: Just in like manner they say in poetic style צידהּ, Psa 132:15; פּנּהּ, Pro 7:8; מדּה, Job 11:9; גּלּהּ, Zac 4:2; and perhaps even נצּהּ, Gen 40:10; for צידתהּ, פּנּתהּ, מדּתהּ, גּלּתהּ, and נצּתהּ; as, in general, shorter forms are sometimes found in the inflexion, which do not occur in the corresponding principal form, e.g., צוּרם, Psa 49:15, for צוּרתם; מגוּרם, Psa 55:16, for מגוּרתם; בּערמם, Job 5:13, for בּערמתם; בּתבוּנם, Hos 13:2, for בּתבוּנתם; פּחם; Neh 5:14, for פּחתם; cf. Hitzig on Hos 13:2, and Bttcher's Neue Aehrenlese, No. 693.)

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

There is only one thing, that he desires, although he also has besides full satisfaction in Jahve in the midst of strangers and in trouble. The future is used side by side with the perfect in Psa 27:4, in order to express an ardent longing which extends out of the past into the future, and therefore runs through his whole life. The one thing sought is unfolded in שׁבתּי וגו. A life-long dwelling in the house of Jahve, that is to say intimate spiritual intercourse with the God, who has His dwelling (בית), His palace (היכל) in the holy tent, is the one desire of David's heart, in order that he may behold and feast upon (חזה בּ of a clinging, lingering, chained gaze, and consequently a more significant form of expression than חזה with an accusative, Psa 63:3) נעם ה (Psa 90:17), the pleasantness (or gracefulness) of Jahve, i.e., His revelation, full of grace, which is there visible to the eye of the spirit. The interpretation which regards amaenitas as being equivalent to amaenus cultus takes hold of the idea from the wrong side. The assertion that בּקּר בּ is intended as a synonym of חזה בּ, of a pleased and lingering contemplation (Hupf., Hitz.), is contrary to the meaning of the verb, which signifies "to examine (with ל to seek or spie about after anything, Lev 13:36), to reflect on, or consider;" even the post-biblical signification to visit, more especially the sick (whence בּקּוּר הלים), comes from the primary meaning investigare. An appropriate sense may be obtained in the present instance by regarding it as a denominative from בּקשׁ and rendering it as Dunash and Rashi have done, "and to appear early in His temple;" but it is unnecessary to depart from the general usage of the language. Hengstenberg rightly retains the signification "to meditate on." בּהיכלו is a designation of the place consecrated to devotion, and לבקּר is meant to refer to contemplative meditation that loses itself in God who is there manifest. In Psa 27:5 David bases the justification of his desire upon that which the sanctuary of God is to him; the futures affirm what Jahve will provide for him in His sanctuary. It is a refuge in which he may hide himself, where Jahve takes good care of him who takes refuge therein from the storms of trouble that rage outside: there he is far removed from all dangers, he is lifted high above them and his feet are upon rocky ground. The Chethb may be read בּסכּה, as in Psa 31:21 and with Ewald 257, d; but, in this passage, with אהל alternates סך, which takes the place of סכּה in the poetic style (Psa 76:3; Lam 2:6), though it does not do so by itself, but always with a suffix.

(Note: Just in like manner they say in poetic style צידהּ, Psa 132:15; פּנּהּ, Pro 7:8; מדּה, Job 11:9; גּלּהּ, Zac 4:2; and perhaps even נצּהּ, Gen 40:10; for צידתהּ, פּנּתהּ, מדּתהּ, גּלּתהּ, and נצּתהּ; as, in general, shorter forms are sometimes found in the inflexion, which do not occur in the corresponding principal form, e.g., צוּרם, Psa 49:15, for צוּרתם; מגוּרם, Psa 55:16, for מגוּרתם; בּערמם, Job 5:13, for בּערמתם; בּתבוּנם, Hos 13:2, for בּתבוּנתם; פּחם; Neh 5:14, for פּחתם; cf. Hitzig on Hos 13:2, and Bttcher's Neue Aehrenlese, No. 693.)

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Dwell. &c. - Have opportunity of constant attendance upon God. To behold - That there I may delight myself, in the contemplation of thy amiable and glorious majesty, and of thy infinite wisdom, holiness, justice, truth, and mercy.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
One thing have I desired - If I am grown too old, and from that circumstance unable to serve my country, I shall then prefer a retirement to the tabernacle, there to serve God the rest of my days. There I shall behold his glory, and there I may inquire and get important answers respecting Israel. But though these words may be thus interpreted, on the above supposition, that David penned the Psalm on the occasion of his escape from the Philistine, and the desire expressed by his subjects that he should go no more out to war; yet it appears that they more naturally belong to the captivity, and that this verse especially shows the earnest longing of the captives to return to their own land, that they might enjoy the benefit of Divine worship.

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⁵ For thou, O God [0430], hast heard [08085] my vows [05088]: thou hast given [05414] me the heritage [03425] of those that fear [03373] thy name [08034].

²¹ Blessed [01288] be the LORD [03068]: for he hath shewed me his marvellous [06381] kindness [02617] in a strong [04692] city [05892].

⁷ But as for me, I will come [0935] into thy house [01004] in the multitude [07230] of thy mercy [02617]: and in thy fear [03374] will I worship [07812] toward thy holy [06944] temple [01964].

⁶ Surely goodness [02896] and mercy [02617] shall follow [07291] me all the days [03117] of my life [02416]: and I will dwell [03427] in the house [01004] of the LORD [03068] for ever [0753] [03117].

¹¹ Thou wilt shew [03045] me the path [0734] of life [02416]: in thy presence [06440] is fulness [07648] of joy [08057]; at thy right hand [03225] there are pleasures [05273] for evermore [05331].

⁷ But as for me, I will come [0935] into thy house [01004] in the multitude [07230] of thy mercy [02617]: and in thy fear [03374] will I worship [07812] toward thy holy [06944] temple [01964].

¹⁵ If I say [0559], I will speak [05608] thus [03644]; behold, I should offend [0898] against the generation [01755] of thy children [01121].
¹⁶ When I thought [02803] to know [03045] this, it was too painful [05999] for me [05869];
¹⁷ Until I went [0935] into the sanctuary [04720] of God [0410]; then understood [0995] I their end [0319].

⁸ LORD [03068], I have loved [0157] the habitation [04583] of thy house [01004], and the place [04725] where thine honour [03519] dwelleth [04908].

² And now they sin [02398] more and more [03254], and have made [06213] them molten images [04541] of their silver [03701], and idols [06091] according to their own understanding [08394], all of it the work [04639] of the craftsmen [02796]: they say [0559] of them, Let the men [0120] that sacrifice [02076] kiss [05401] the calves [05695].

¹⁴ Moreover from the time [03117] that I was appointed [06680] to be their governor [06346] in the land [0776] of Judah [03063], from the twentieth [06242] year [08141] even unto the two [08147] and thirtieth [07970] year [08141] of Artaxerxes [0783] the king [04428], that is, twelve [08147] [06240] years [08141], I and my brethren [0251] have not eaten [0398] the bread [03899] of the governor [06346].

¹³ He taketh [03920] the wise [02450] in their own craftiness [06193]: and the counsel [06098] of the froward [06617] is carried headlong [04116].

¹⁶ As for me, I will call [07121] upon God [0430]; and the LORD [03068] shall save [03467] me.

¹⁵ But God [0430] will redeem [06299] my soul [05315] from the power [03027] of the grave [07585]: for he shall receive [03947] me. Selah [05542].

¹⁰ And in the vine [01612] were three [07969] branches [08299]: and it was as though it budded [06524], and her blossoms [05322] shot forth [05927]; and the clusters [0811] thereof brought forth ripe [01310] grapes [06025]:

² And said [0559] unto me, What seest [07200] thou? And I said [0559], I have looked [07200], and behold a candlestick [04501] all of gold [02091], with a bowl [01531] upon the top [07218] of it, and his seven [07651] lamps [05216] thereon, and seven [07651] pipes [04166] to the seven [07651] lamps [05216], which are upon the top [07218] thereof:

⁹ The measure [04055] thereof is longer [0752] than the earth [0776], and broader [07342] than the sea [03220].

⁸ Passing through [05674] the street [07784] near [0681] her corner [06434]; and he went [06805] the way [01870] to her house [01004],

¹⁵ I will abundantly [01288] bless [01288] her provision [06718]: I will satisfy [07646] her poor [034] with bread [03899].

⁶ And he hath violently taken away [02554] his tabernacle [07900], as if it were of a garden [01588]: he hath destroyed [07843] his places of the assembly [04150]: the LORD [03068] hath caused the solemn feasts [04150] and sabbaths [07676] to be forgotten [07911] in Zion [06726], and hath despised [05006] in the indignation [02195] of his anger [0639] the king [04428] and the priest [03548].

³ There brake [07665] he the arrows [07565] of the bow [07198], the shield [04043], and the sword [02719], and the battle [04421]. Selah [05542].

²¹ Blessed [01288] be the LORD [03068]: for he hath shewed me his marvellous [06381] kindness [02617] in a strong [04692] city [05892].

⁵ For in the time [03117] of trouble [07451] he shall hide [06845] me in his pavilion [05520]: in the secret [05643] of his tabernacle [0168] shall he hide [05641] me; he shall set me up [07311] upon a rock [06697].

³⁶ Then the priest [03548] shall look [07200] on him: and, behold, if the scall [05424] be spread [06581] in the skin [05785], the priest [03548] shall not seek [01239] for yellow [06669] hair [08181]; he is unclean [02931].

¹⁷ And let the beauty [05278] of the LORD [03068] our God [0430] be upon us: and establish [03559] thou the work [04639] of our hands [03027] upon us; yea, the work [04639] of our hands [03027] establish [03559] thou it.

³ Because thy lovingkindness [02617] is better [02896] than life [02416], my lips [08193] shall praise [07623] thee.

⁴ One [0259] thing have I desired [07592] of the LORD [03068], that will I seek [01245] after; that I may dwell [03427] in the house [01004] of the LORD [03068] all the days [03117] of my life [02416], to behold [02372] the beauty [05278] of the LORD [03068], and to enquire [01239] in his temple [01964].