Psalms 27

1 “Of David.” The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I be afraid? the Lord is the fortress of my life; of whom shall I have dread?

[A Psalm] of David, before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my Saviour; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil-doers come near against me to eat up my flesh, my assailants and my enemies at me: then do they stumble and fall.

When evil-doers drew near against me to eat up my flesh, my persecutors and mine enemies, they fainted and fell.

3 If an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: if war should arise against me, even then will I have trust.

Though an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be afraid: though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek for: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the loveliness of the Lord, and to be every morning early in his temple.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek: that I should dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, that I should behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and survey his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his pavilion on the day of evil; he will conceal me in the secret of his tabernacle; upon a rock will he place me high.

For in the day of mine afflictions he hid me in his tabernacle: he sheltered me in the secret of his tabernacle; he set me up on a rock.

6 And now will my head be lifted up above my enemies all round about me; and I will sacrifice in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy: I will sing, and I will triumphantly play unto the Lord.

And now, behold, he has lifted up mine head over mine enemies: I went round and offered in his tabernacle the sacrifice of joy; I will sing even sing psalms to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, my voice, [when] I call, and be gracious unto me, and answer me.

Hear, O Lord, my voice which I have uttered aloud: pity me, and listen to me.

8 Of thee, said my heart, “Seek ye my presence”: thy presence, Lord, will I seek.

My heart said to you, I have diligently sought your face: your face, O Lord, I will seek.

9 Hide [then] not thy face from me; reject not in anger thy servant, thou [who] hast been my help: cast me not off, nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Turn not your face away from me, turn not you away from your servant in anger: be you my helper, forsake me not; and, O God my Saviour, overlook me not.

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me; but the Lord will take me up.

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord has taken me to himself.

11 Point me out thy way, O Lord! and guide me on a level path, because of those that regard me enviously.

Teach me, O Lord, in your way, and guide me in a right path, because of mine enemies.

12 Give me not up to the [revengeful] desire of my assailants; for there are risen up against me false witnesses, and such as utter violence.

Deliver me not over to the desire of them that afflict me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and injustice has lied within herself.

13 Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of life—

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord; be strong, and let thy heart be of good courage; and only wait on the Lord.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened: yes wait on the Lord.