Though surrounded by difficulties and trouble in Psalm 27, David said there was ONE most important thing to him — and it had nothing to do with his problems: “One thing have I asked from the LORD, that I shall 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 meditate in His temple.” The first word of this verse tells us how important this is to him — and should be to us as well:

The first word of this verse (which is signficant in Hebrew, as that is an emphatic position) is: “ONE.” “ONE thing I have asked from Yahweh, that I shall seek.” What was that most important thing? NOT that he would be delivered from his problems, or saved from the enemies which surrounded him, but that he could dwell in the Lord’s house, and behold His beauty.

The Hebrew word for “behold” here means “To see, experience, behold with gratification.” A related Arabic word refers to how an astronomer or astrologer examines the stars. (BDB)  So we might translate it “gaze”, like we do at the stars in the heavens.

And what is it that David wishes more than anything else to “gaze” at? “The beauty of Yahweh.” The word “beauty” means “kindness, beauty, delightfulness, pleasantness” (BDB).

The Queen of Sheba told King Solomon that his courtiers were blessed to sit at his feet and see beauty of his palace, and hear his wisdom. How much more blessed are those who, like David, make it their highest priority to sit at the feet of YHWH, gaze on His beauty, and continually learn in His presence!  It will be our greatest joy forever in heaven — and it is our greatest privilege to begin enjoy it by faith even now!