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?

A psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my savior; whom then should I fear? The Lord protects my life; whom then should 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 drew near to assail me and eat up my flesh, it was those who distressed and opposed me who 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 against me a host should encamp, yet my heart would be fearless: though battle should rise up against me, still would I be trustful.

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 have I asked of the Lord, and that do I long for – To live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the grace of the Lord and inquire 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 he will hide me in his shelter in the day of misfortune. In his sheltering tent he hides me: he lifts me up on 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.

And now that my head he has lifted above my encircling foes, I will march round the altar and sacrifice, shouting with joy, in his tent, making music and song 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 loud cry, and graciously answer me.

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

My heart has said to you, “Your face, O Lord, I 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, reject not your servant in anger: for you have been my help. Abandon me not, nor forsake me, O God of my help:

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

for father and mother have left me; but the Lord will take me up.

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: lead me in an even path, because of my enemies.

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.

Give me not up, O Lord, unto the rage of my foes; for against me have risen false witnesses, breathing out cruelty.

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

Firm is the faith I cherish, that I, in the land of the living, will yet see the goodness of God.

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

Let your heart be courageous and strong, and wait on the Lord.