Psalm 27

1  THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?2  When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.3  Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.4  One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. 5  For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.6  And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.7  Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me!8  You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].9  Hide not Your face from me; turn not Your servant away in anger, You Who have been my help! Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!10  Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]. 11  Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path because of my enemies [those who lie in wait for me].12  Give me not up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me; they breathe out cruelty and violence.13  [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!14  Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Psalm 27

By David.

1 The Lord delivers and vindicates me!
I fear no one!
The Lord protects my life!
I am afraid of no one!

2 When evil men attack me
to devour my flesh,
when my adversaries and enemies attack me,
they stumble and fall.

3 Even when an army is deployed against me,
I do not fear.
Even when war is imminent,
I remain confident.

4 I have asked the Lord for one thing –
this is what I desire!
I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord
and contemplate in his temple.

5 He will surely give me shelter in the day of danger;
he will hide me in his home;
he will place me on an inaccessible rocky summit.

6 Now I will triumph
over my enemies who surround me!
I will offer sacrifices in his dwelling place and shout for joy!
I will sing praises to the Lord!

7 Hear me, O Lord, when I cry out!
Have mercy on me and answer me!

8 My heart tells me to pray to you,
and I do pray to you, O Lord.

9 Do not reject me!
Do not push your servant away in anger!
You are my deliverer!
Do not forsake or abandon me,
O God who vindicates me!

10 Even if my father and mother abandoned me,
the Lord would take me in.

11 Teach me how you want me to live;
lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!

12 Do not turn me over to my enemies,
for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.

13 Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience
the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?

14 Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!