Psalms 27

1 [A Psalm] of David, before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my Saviour; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil-doers drew near against me to eat up my flesh, my persecutors and mine enemies, they fainted and fell.

When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be afraid: though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident.

Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me, even then will I be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek: that I should dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, that I should behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and survey 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 graciousness of the LORD, and to visit early in His temple.

5 For in the day of mine afflictions he hid me in his tabernacle: he sheltered me in the secret of his tabernacle; he set me up on a rock.

For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil; He hideth me in the covert of His tent; He lifteth me up upon a rock.

6 And now, behold, he has lifted up mine head over mine enemies: I went round and offered in his tabernacle the sacrifice of joy; I will sing even sing psalms to the Lord.

And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; and I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices with trumpet-sound; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7 Hear, O Lord, my voice which I have uttered aloud: pity me, and listen to me.

Hear, O LORD, when I call with my voice, and be gracious unto me, and answer me.

8 My heart said to you, I have diligently sought your face: your face, O Lord, I will seek.

In Thy behalf my heart hath said: 'Seek ye My face'; Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9 Turn not your face away from me, turn not you away from your servant in anger: be you my helper, forsake me not; and, O God my Saviour, overlook me not.

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 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord has taken me to himself.

For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, the LORD will take me up.

11 Teach me, O Lord, in your way, and guide me in a right path, because of mine enemies.

Teach me Thy way, O LORD; and lead me in an even path, because of them that lie in wait for me.

12 Deliver me not over to the desire of them that afflict me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and injustice has lied within herself.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries; for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! —

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened: yes wait on the Lord.

Wait on the LORD; be strong, and let thy heart take courage; yea, wait thou for the LORD.