Psalm 27 4

Psalm 27:4 kjv

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.

Psalm 27:4 nkjv

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: 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 inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27:4 niv

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4 esv

One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 27:4 nlt

The one thing I ask of the LORD ?
the thing I seek most ?
is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD's perfections
and meditating in his Temple.

Psalm 27 verses

Psalm 27 4 Meaning

Psalm 27:4 expresses the singular, fervent desire of the psalmist, David, to continuously abide in God's presence, to contemplate His majestic goodness, and to worship Him perpetually. It is a profound declaration of prioritizing intimate fellowship with the Lord above all worldly pursuits, recognizing that true satisfaction and security are found only in Him. This verse serves as the core aspiration that underlies the psalmist's confidence amidst trials and adversaries.

Psalm 27 4 Context

Psalm 27 opens with a declaration of profound trust and fearlessness in the Lord despite the presence of adversaries ("the Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?"). This confidence is rooted not in his own strength, but in God's delivering power. Verse 4 then serves as the psalm's spiritual heart, explaining why David possesses such unwavering confidence and what his deepest longing truly is. His desire to dwell in the Lord's house and behold His beauty transcends his immediate circumstances of war and persecution. Historically, David lived prior to the construction of Solomon's grand Temple; thus, "the house of the Lord" likely refers to the tabernacle (tent of meeting) in Jerusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant was housed and priests ministered. It was the central point of God's symbolic presence and a place of worship, sacrifice, and revelation for the people of Israel. David’s focus is not merely on a physical structure but on the divine presence embodied within it.

Psalm 27 4 Word analysis

• "One thing" (Hebrew: achat אַחַת): Signifies singular focus, undivided devotion, and ultimate priority. It implies that among all possible desires or requests, this stands alone as preeminent, rendering all others secondary or irrelevant. This is a deliberate contrast to a fragmented heart pulled in many directions.
• "I ask" (Hebrew: sha'al שָׁאַל): To make a request, to entreat. It indicates a sincere and earnest plea, not a casual wish.
• "from the Lord" (Hebrew: mi-YHWH מֵיהוָה): Emphasizes the divine source and object of the request. The focus is entirely God-ward.
• "this only" (Hebrew: o·tah hi אוֹתָהּ הִיא): Reinforces the preceding "one thing," doubling down on the unique and supreme importance of the desire.
• "do I seek" (Hebrew: 'avaqqesh אֲבַקֵּשׁ): From baqash, meaning to search for, to diligently pursue, to require. This isn't passive wanting but an active, earnest quest or a determined seeking out. It suggests an intense yearning that translates into action.
• "that I may dwell" (Hebrew: shivti שִׁבְתִּי): From yashav, meaning to sit, remain, abide, reside permanently. It implies a settled, continuous, and intimate presence, not just a temporary visit or brief stay. It's a desire for unbroken fellowship.
• "in the house of the Lord" (Hebrew: bevet YHWH בְּבֵית יְהוָה): For David, this would have been the tabernacle (tent) where the Ark of the Covenant was. It represents the divinely appointed place of God's presence, worship, and encounter. Spiritually, it signifies the sphere of God's manifest presence.
• "all the days of my life" (Hebrew: kol-yemey hayyay כָּל־יְמֵי חַיָּי): Expresses lifelong commitment and an unceasing, unending duration of this desired presence. It's a commitment extending from his present reality through eternity.
• "to gaze on" (Hebrew: lachazot לַחֲזוֹת): From chazah, meaning to see, behold, look at intently, contemplate. This is not a superficial glance but a deep, meditative, and reverent observation, suggesting an absorbing experience. It can also imply receiving prophetic vision or understanding.
• "the beauty of the Lord" (Hebrew: b'no'am YHWH בְּנֹעַם יְהוָה): No'am means pleasantness, graciousness, loveliness, delight, kindness. It encompasses not just physical aesthetics but the inherent goodness, moral excellence, inherent graciousness, and alluring majesty of God's character and person. It refers to God's inherent perfection, His manifest goodness, and the delightful harmony of His attributes.
• "and to seek him" (Hebrew: u·lvaqqer וּלְבַקֵּר): From baqar, which means to examine, consider, inspect, inquire, visit. Often used in the context of morning visitation, perhaps hinting at seeking His counsel or instruction from the tabernacle, where priests received divine guidance.
• "in his temple" (Hebrew: b'heykhali בְּהֵיכָלוֹ): Though for David it referred to the tabernacle/tent, heykhal can also mean a grand temple or palace. It designates a sacred space, distinct from common ground, where divine encounter and worship occur.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "One thing I ask... this only do I seek": This repetition and specific wording powerfully underscores David's laser-like focus and supreme priority. It highlights an undiluted devotion, rejecting all distractions in favor of the single, paramount pursuit of God. It's an internal posture of ultimate desire.
• "that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life": This phrase expresses a longing for continuous, intimate, and secure communion. "Dwelling" implies rest, safety, and an abiding relationship, contrasting sharply with the transient nature of life's struggles outside. It emphasizes a desire for a lifestyle steeped in God's presence.
• "to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple": These two infinitives explain the purpose and privilege of dwelling. It's not just passive presence but active engagement: contemplating God's essence ("beauty") and actively pursuing His guidance, will, or encounter ("seek him"). This reveals a spiritual hunger for deeper understanding and communion beyond ritual.

Psalm 27 4 Bonus section

The longing expressed in Psalm 27:4 transcends David's historical context of the tabernacle. In the New Covenant, believers themselves are declared to be temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), and through Christ, we have bold access to the Father's presence (Heb 4:16; 10:19-22). Therefore, "dwelling in the house of the Lord" for the Christian is not merely about attending a physical church building but about living in constant communion with God through the indwelling Spirit. The "gazing on His beauty" continues as we are progressively transformed into His image by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). This verse therefore beautifully bridges the Old and New Testaments, providing a timeless aspiration for the people of God across all ages: that the greatest treasure and most consuming desire is God Himself and His enduring presence.

Psalm 27 4 Commentary

Psalm 27:4 articulates the ultimate human aspiration for intimate, continuous, and transforming communion with the divine. David’s "one thing" is not protection, vengeance, or earthly gain, but a lifelong, settled presence in God’s "house" (the sphere of His presence). This abiding leads to two profound spiritual activities: "gazing on the beauty of the Lord" and "seeking Him in His temple." "Gazing" implies a contemplative worship, a deep beholding of God’s character, majesty, and graciousness that delights the soul and reshapes the observer. "Seeking" speaks to an active, ongoing pursuit of God for revelation, counsel, and deeper encounter. This verse serves as a beacon for all believers, reorienting priorities from fleeting worldly concerns to the singular, eternally satisfying pursuit of God Himself, His presence, and His glory. It exemplifies true piety that finds its ultimate rest and purpose in God alone.Practical Usage:

• Reflect on your "one thing" – what truly dominates your desire?
• Commit to consistent spiritual disciplines that foster "dwelling" and "seeking" God.
• Practice "gazing on His beauty" by meditating on His attributes and character revealed in scripture and creation.