Psalms 27

1 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?

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

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

3 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.

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, 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.

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

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 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.

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 loud cry, and graciously answer me.

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

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

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

9 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:

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 father and mother have left 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 Teach me your way, O Lord: lead me in an even path, because of my enemies.

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

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

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

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

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

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