Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageEven the sparrow has found herself a home, and the swallow a nest where she cradles her young—right there beside Your altars, Yahweh of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God.
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GEven the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself where she lays her young—beside Your altars, YHWH-Tzva'ot, my King and my Elohim.
KJV
King James VersionYea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleEven the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God.
Footnotes
*Deror* (דְּרֹור), translated 'swallow,' carries a remarkable double resonance: it is also the Hebrew word for liberty and freedom, most famously proclaimed at the Jubilee (Lev. 25:10, 'you shall proclaim *deror* throughout the land'). The bird who finds her nest beside the altars of YHWH literally bears the name of freedom—suggesting that to dwell near the divine presence is to enter one's truest liberty. Both FOG and FOG Message render 'swallow' for readability, but the sonic depth of the original is irreplaceable. The psalmist's aching longing (v. 2) is measured against the bird who already possesses what he desires.