How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
~ Psalm 84
Here is the setting of this Psalm composed by Johannes Brahms. How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings Fair.

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May 24, 2012 at 17:56
Olivia
Years ago we attended a church that cherished music like this and my husband (who directed) chose this piece for the chorale to sing, over 100 strong with orchestra. To this day it remains our favorite piece to listen to. A close second is Beethoven’s Hallelujah from the Mount of Olives. Thanks for sharing this beautiful rendition from Brahms, Ingrid. I can’t express how sad it feels not to be able to sing this beautiful music any more due to so many conservative churches abandoning fine hymnody.