Psalms 27

1 A psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation! How could anyone scare me? The Lord is my life's fortress! How could anyone terrify me?

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil people come at me to tear me apart, it's my enemies, those who are against me, they're the ones who trip and fall.

When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came on me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Even if an army surrounds me, I won't be frightened. Even if I am attacked, I will still trust in God.

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 I only ask the Lord for one thing: I just want to live in the house of the Lord throughout my life, contemplating the Lord's goodness and thinking about his Temple.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

5 When troubles come he will protect me and keep me safe, hiding me in his house, as secure as if he'd placed me on a high rock.

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up on a rock.

6 He will hold my head high over my enemies who are all around me. I shall offer sacrifices in his house with shouts of joy, and I will sing praises to the Lord.

And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

7 Listen to me, Lord, when I call for help. Be gracious and answer me.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also on me, and answer me.

8 You told me, “Come to me.” I am coming to you, Lord.

When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.

9 Don't refuse to talk to me. Don't be angry with your servant and turn away. You are the one who helps me, so please don't reject me and abandon me, God of my salvation.

Hide not your face far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 Even if my father and my mother abandon me, the Lord will take care of me.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

11 Lord, teach me your way and lead me along the right path, because my enemies are against me—

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.

12 don't hand me over to them and their evil intentions, for they are making false accusations against me and threatening me with violence.

Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 However, I'm absolutely sure that I will see the Lord's goodness even in this life.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14 Trust in the Lord! Be confident—he will give you courage! Trust in the Lord!

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.