Psalms 27

1 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?

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?

2 When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies stumbled 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 encamps against me, my heart will not fear; though war rises up against me, even then I will remain 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 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.

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 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!

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 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!

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

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

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

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

9 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!

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

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

11 Teach me your way, Yahweh! Lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

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

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

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

13 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?

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

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

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