Psalms 27

1 Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; who is then a cause of fear to me? the Lord is the strength of my life; who is a danger to me?

A psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my saviour; whom then should I fear? The Lord protects my life; whom then should I dread?

2 When evil-doers, even my haters, came on me to put an end to me, they were broken and put to shame.

When the wicked drew near to assail me and eat up my flesh, it was those who distressed and opposed me who stumbled and fell.

3 Even if an army came against me with its tents, my heart would have no fear: if war was made on me, my faith would not be moved.

Though against me a host should encamp, yet my heart would be fearless: though battle should rise up against me, still would I be trustful.

4 One prayer have I made to the Lord, and this is my heart's desire; that I may have a place in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, looking on his glory, and getting wisdom in his Temple.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, and that do I long for – To live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the grace of the Lord and inquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he will keep me safe in his tent: in the secret place of his tent he will keep me from men's eyes; high on a rock he will put me.

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of misfortune. In his sheltering tent he hides me: he lifts me up on a rock.

6 And now my head will be lifted up higher than my haters who are round me: because of this I will make offerings of joy in his tent; I will make a song, truly I will make a song of praise to the Lord.

And now that my head he has lifted above my encircling foes, I will march round the altar and sacrifice, shouting with joy, in his tent, making music and song to the Lord.

7 O Lord, let the voice of my cry come to your ears: have mercy on me, and give me an answer.

Hear, O Lord, my loud cry, and graciously answer me.

8 When you said, Make search for my face, my heart said to you, For your face will I make my search.

My heart has said to you, ‘Your face, O Lord, I seek.’

9 Let not your face be covered from me; do not put away your servant in wrath; you have been my help: do not give me up or take your support from me, O God of my salvation.

Hide not your face from me, reject not your servant in anger: for you have been my help. Abandon me not, nor forsake me, O God of my help:

10 When my father and my mother are turned away from me, then the Lord will be my support.

for father and mother have left me; but the Lord will take me up.

11 Make your way clear to me, O Lord, guiding me by the right way, because of my haters.

Teach me your way, O Lord: lead me in an even path, because of my enemies.

12 Do not give me into their hands, because false witnesses have come out against me, and men breathing destruction.

Give me not up, O Lord, unto the rage of my foes; for against me have risen false witnesses, breathing out cruelty.

13 I had almost given up my hope of seeing the blessing of the Lord in the land of the living.

Firm is the faith I cherish, that I, in the land of the living, will yet see the goodness of God.

14 Let your hope be in the Lord: take heart and be strong; yes, let your hope be in the Lord.

Let your heart be courageous and strong, and wait on the Lord.