Psalms 27

1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?

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 the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled 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 encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

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 I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in 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 trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon 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 Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music 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 when I call; be merciful and answer 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, “Seek His 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 Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.

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 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

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

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.

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

12 Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

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

13 Still I am certain to 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 patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

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