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. Yahweh is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? Yahweh is my life's refuge; whom should I dread?

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 evildoers approached me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies 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 army encamps against me, my heart will not fear; though war rises up against me, even then I will remain 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 Yahweh, and I will seek that: that I may live in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, to see the beauty of Yahweh and to meditate 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 will hide me in his shelter; in the cover of his tent he will conceal me. He will lift me high 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.

Then my head will be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent! I will sing and make songs to Yahweh!

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

Hear, Yahweh, my voice when I cry out! Have mercy on me, and answer me!

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

My heart says about you, “Seek his face!” I seek your face, Yahweh!

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.

Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger! You have been my helper; do not forsake me or abandon me, God of my salvation!

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

Even if my father and my mother forsake me, Yahweh will take me in.

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

Teach me your way, Yahweh! Lead me on a level 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.

Do not give me up to the desires of my enemies, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and they breathe out violence!

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

What would have happened to me if I had not believed that I would see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living?

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

Wait for Yahweh; be strong, and let your heart be courageous! Wait for Yahweh!