Temples

Latter-Day Saints are unique in the modern world in their temple worship but temple worship is frequently described in the Psalms.  Psalms describes the spiritual strengthening that comes from attendance at the temple. It reveals the attitudes, thoughts and prayers that can be in our hearts.

"7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple."

Old Testament, Psalms 5:7

"1 In that day thou shalt come, O Lord; and I will put my trust in thee. Thou shalt say unto thy people, for mine ear hath heard thy voice; thou shalt say unto every soul, Flee unto my mountain; and the righteous shall flee like a bird that is let go from the snare of the fowler. 2 For the wicked bend their bow; lo, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart, to destroy their foundation. 3 But the foundations of the wicked shall be destroyed, and what can they do? 4 For the Lord, when he shall come into his holy temple, sitting upon God’s throne in heaven, his eyes shall pierce the wicked."
Joseph Smith Translation, JST, Psalms 11:1-4

"6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Old Testament, Psalms 23:6

"8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth."

Hymn 247 We Love Thy House, O God

Old Testament, Psalms 26:8

"4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; 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 enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord."

Old Testament, Psalms 27:4-6

8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

 9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 

 Old Testament, Psalms 36:8-9

"3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God."
Old Testament, Psalms 43:3-4

"3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge. 9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple."

Old Testament, Psalms 48:3,9

"1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name."

Old Testament, Psalms 63:1-4

"4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple."

Old Testament, Psalms 65:4

"24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary."

Old Testament, Psalms 68:24

"17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end."

Old Testament, Psalms 73:17

"1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, 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. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah"

Old Testament, Psalms 84:1-4

"10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
Old Testament, Psalms 84:10

"13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing"
  Old Testament, Psalms 92:13-14 

"6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts."

Old Testament, Psalms 96:6-8


"9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy."
Old Testament, Psalms 99:9

"4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

Old Testament, Psalms 100:4

"15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and‍ I will praise the Lord: 20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation."
Old Testament, Psalms 118:15,19-21

"1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good."
Old Testament, Psalms 122:1,7-9

"1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord. 2 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, 3 Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant."

Old Testament, Psalms 135:1-3

Temples are a place of prayer

"4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

Old Testament, Psalms 18:4-6

"1 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye‍ servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your  hands in‍ the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.  3 The Lord‍ that made heaven and earth bless‍ thee out of Zion."
Old Testament, Psalms 134:1-3

Who are worthy to go to the temple?

"1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."

Old Testament, Psalms 15:1-5

"1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 2  Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3  For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.  4  I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5  I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. 6  I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works."
Old Testament, Psalms 26:2-7

"3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? or who shall stand in his holy place?4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob."

Old Testament, Psalms 24:3-6

Additional References from Psalms related to the temple

Old Testament, Psalms 20:2-3  
Old Testament, Psalms 29:9
Old Testament, Psalms 31:20 
Old Testament, Psalms 42:4 
Old Testament, Psalms 46:4-5 
Old Testament, Psalms 48:1 
Old Testament, Psalms 52:8 
Old Testament, Psalms 66:13-15  
Old Testament, Psalms 68:15-18,29
Old Testament, Psalms 77:13
Old Testament, Psalms 78:69 
Old Testament, Psalms 93:5   
Old Testament, Psalms 116:18-19
Old Testament, Psalms 118:26-27
Old Testament, Psalms 132:1-8   
Old Testament, Psalms 138:2