(a) David complains that he cannot have access to the Church of God to make profession of his faith, and to profit in religion.

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the {b} courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

(b) For only the priests could enter the sanctuary and the rest of the people into the courts.

3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine {c} altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

(c) So that the poor birds have more freedom than I.

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5 Blessed is the man whose {d} strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

(d) Who trusts nothing in himself but in you only, and learns from you to rule his life.

6 Who passing through the valley of {c} Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

(c) So that the poor birds have more freedom than I.

7 They go from {f} strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

(f) They are never weary but increase in strength and courage till they come to God's house.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine {g} anointed.

(g) That is, for Christ's sake, whose figure I represent.

10 For {h} 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.

(h) He would rather live one day in God's Church than a thousand in the world.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no {i} good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

(i) But will from time to time increase his blessings toward his more and more.

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.