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 saviour; whom then should I fear? The Lord protects my life; whom then should I dread?

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

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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 which I have uttered aloud: pity me, and listen to me.

Hear, O Lord, my loud cry, and graciously answer me.

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

My heart has said to you, ‘Your face, O Lord, 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 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 forsaken me, but the Lord has taken me to himself.

for father and mother have left me; but 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 your way, O Lord: lead me in an even path, because of my enemies.

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.

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 that I shall see the goodness 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 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened: yes wait on the Lord.

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