Psalms 27

1 [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?

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?

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

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

3 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.

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.

4 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.

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.

5 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.

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.

6 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

9 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

12 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.

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

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

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

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

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