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?

[A Psalm] of David. 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 evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, [even] mine adversaries and my foes, 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, even then 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 asked 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 day of trouble he shall keep me secretly in his pavilion: in the covert of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall lift me up upon 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 mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto 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 upon me, and answer me.

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

[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy 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 thy face from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; cast me not off, 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.

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but 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 thy way, O LORD; and lead me in a plain path, because of mine 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 unto the will of mine adversaries: 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 strong, and let thine heart take courage; yea, wait thou on the LORD.