Psalms 27

1 The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

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?

2 Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh. My enemies that trouble me, have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.

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

3 If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.

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

4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

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.

5 For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle; in the day of evils, he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle.

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.

6 He hath exalted me upon a rock: and now he hath lifted up my head above my enemies. I have gone round, and have offered up in his tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: I will sing, and recite a psalm to the Lord.

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.

7 Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me and hear me.

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

8 My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.

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

9 Turn not away thy face from me; decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.

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.

10 For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up.

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

11 Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way, and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies.

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

12 Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.

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

13 I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

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

14 Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

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