Psalms 27

1 A psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my savior; whom then should I fear? The Lord protects my life; whom then should I dread?

By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 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.

When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

3 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.

Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.

4 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.

One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.

5 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.

For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.

6 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.

Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh.

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

Hear, Yahweh, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy also on me, and answer me.

8 My heart has said to you, “Your face, O Lord, I seek.”

When you said, “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “I will seek your face, Yahweh.”

9 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:

Don’t hide your face from me. Don’t put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Don’t abandon me, neither forsake me, God of my salvation.

10 for father and mother have left me; but the Lord will take me up.

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

11 Teach me your way, O Lord: lead me in an even path, because of my enemies.

Teach me your way, Yahweh. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.

12 Give me not up, O Lord, unto the rage of my foes; for against me have risen false witnesses, breathing out cruelty.

Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, such as breathe out cruelty.

13 Firm is the faith I cherish, that I, in the land of the living, will yet see the goodness of God.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.

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

Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh.