How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place
By Scottish Psalter
Lyrics
O Lord of hosts, to me!
The tabernacles of thy grace
how pleasant, Lord, they be!
yea faints, thy courts to see:
My very heart and flesh cry out,
O living God, for thee.
an house wherein to rest;
The swallow also for herself
hath purchasèd a nest;
Ev'n thine own altars, where she safe
her young ones forth may bring,
O thou almighty Lord of hosts,
who art my God and King.
they ever give thee praise.
in whose heart are thy ways:
therein do dig up wells;
Also the rain that falleth down
the pools with water fills.
still forward unto strength,
Until in Zion they appear
before the Lord at length.
O Jacob's God, give ear.
9 See God our shield, look on the face
of thine anointed dear.
a thousand; rather in
My God's house will I keep a door,
than dwell in tents of sin.
he'll grace and glory give;
And will withhold no good from them
that uprightly do live.
that man is truly blessed,
Who by assurèd confidence
on thee alone doth rest.
Bible Reference
Psalm 84
About This Hymn
"How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" is a metrical paraphrase of Psalm 84, first published in The Scottish Psalter of 1564. The paraphrase is traditionally attributed to John Hopkins, a prominent figure in the development of the Scottish metrical psalms. This psalm expresses a deep longing for the presence of God and the beauty of His dwelling place.
The text has been set to various tunes over the centuries. One of the most widely used melodies is "HARINGTON" (also known as "RETIREMENT"), composed by Henry Harington in 1775. This tune is characterized by its stately and reflective nature, complementing the psalm's themes of reverence and devotion. Another notable tune is "MCKEE," which is commonly used in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal.
The hymn has been included in numerous hymnals, reflecting its enduring popularity. It continues to be sung in various Christian denominations, particularly in contexts emphasizing worship, longing for God's presence, and the beauty of the church as His dwelling place.
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Hymn Information
- Category: Scripture Song
- Author/Writer: Scottish Psalter (1650)
- Added: September 15, 2025
- Last Updated: September 15, 2025
- Views: 330
MIDI File
Hymns from 1650
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