A reading from the first book of Kings, Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands towards heaven, he said, Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven, above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant of mercy with your servants,

who are faithful to you with their whole heart. Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth?

If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built.

Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O Lord, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I your servant uttered before you this day.

May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored.

May you heed the prayer which I your servant offer in this place.

Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place listen to the petitions of your servant and of your

people Israel which they offer in this place listen from your heavenly dwelling and

grant pardon the word of the Lord thanks to be to God how lovely is your dwelling

place Lord mighty God how dwell it is the dwelling place? Lord mighty God.

My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

How lovely is your dwelling place?

Lord, mighty God.

Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest,

in which she puts her young.

Your altars are Lord of hosts, my king and my God.

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God.

Blessed day who dwell in your house, continually they praise you.

O God, behold, our shield, and look upon the face of your anointed. How

lovely is your dwelling place, Lord mighty God. I had rather one day in your courts than

a thousand elsewhere. I had rather lie in the threshold of the house of my God than dwell

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