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. Psalms 27:4 NIV

What does it mean to “gaze” on the beauty of the Lord? The word becomes more colorful as we look to other versions which read, “to behold” the beauty of the Lord.

The word becomes even more colorful as we look to a dictionary definition…

gaze: to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure or wonder.

Inserted in the Biblical text, the word gaze becomes vivid…

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, to behold, to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure or wonder on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

It takes intentionality to gaze. It is easier to just glance, to just take a quick look. But, how much of His beauty we miss with just a glance.

May we gaze on the beauty of the Lord all the days of our lives with great curiosity, interest, pleasure and wonder!