Psalms 27

1 [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?

A Psalm of David, before he was sealed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

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

Meanwhile, the guilty draw near to me, so as to eat my flesh. Those who trouble me, my enemies, have themselves been weakened and have fallen.

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

If entrenched armies were to stand together against me, my heart would not fear. If a battle were to rise up against me, I would have hope in this.

4 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.

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, so that I may behold the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

5 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.

For he has hidden me in his tabernacle. In the day of evils, he has protected me in the hidden place of his tabernacle.

6 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.

He has exalted me upon the rock, and now he has exalted my head above my enemies. I have circled around and offered a sacrifice of loud exclamation in his tabernacle. I will sing, and I will compose a psalm, to the Lord.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

Hear my voice, O Lord, with which I have cried out to you. Have mercy on me, and hear me.

8 [When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

My heart has spoken to you; my face has sought you. I yearn for your face, O Lord.

9 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.

Do not turn your face away from me. In your wrath, do not turn aside from your servant. Be my helper. Do not abandon me, and do not despise me, O God, my Savior.

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

For my father and my mother have left me behind, but the Lord has taken me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

O Lord, establish a law for me in your way, and direct me in the right path, because of my enemies.

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

Do not surrender me to the souls of those who trouble me. For unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity has lied to itself.

13 [I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD: be strong, and let thine heart take courage; yea, wait thou on the LORD.

Wait for the Lord, act manfully; and let your heart be strengthened, and remain with the Lord.