Psalms 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

[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, even my enemies and my foes, came on me to eat up my flesh, they 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 an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

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 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 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 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 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 shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises 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, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also on me, and answer me.

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

8 When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will 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 far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither 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 When my father and my mother forsake me, then 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, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.

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

12 Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe 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 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

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

14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

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