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; of whom shall I be afraid? the Lord is the fortress of my life; of whom shall I have dread?

2 When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

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.

3 Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

7 Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me.

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

8 My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

13 Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

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

14 Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

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