Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

An Exuberant Declaration of FaithA Psalm of David. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell.3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: 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.5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.8  When You said, Seek My face, My heart said to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek.9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.13  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

PSALMS 27

A Prayer of Praise

1 You, [Lord], are the light
that keeps me safe.
I am not afraid of anyone.
You protect me,
and I have no fears.

2 Brutal people may attack
and try to kill me,
but they will stumble.
Fierce enemies may attack,
but they will fall.

3 Armies may surround me,
but I won't be afraid;
war may break out,
but I will trust you.

4 I ask only one thing, [Lord]:
Let me live in your house
every day of my life
to see how wonderful you are
and to pray in your temple.

5 In times of trouble, [Lord],
you will protect me.
You will hide me in your tent
and keep me safe
on top of a mighty rock.t

6 You will let me defeat
all my enemies.
Then I will celebrate,
as I enter your tent
with animal sacrifices
and songs of praise.

7 Please listen when I pray!
Have pity. Answer my prayer.

8 My heart tells me to pray.
I am eager to see your face,

9 so don't hide from me.
I am your servant, [Lord],
and you have helped me.
Don't turn from me in anger.
You alone keep me safe.
Don't reject or desert me.

10 Even if my father and mother
should desert me,
you will take care of me.

11 Teach me to follow, [Lord],
and lead me on the right path
because of my enemies.

12 Don't let them do to me
what they want.
People tell lies about me
and make violent threats,

13 but I know I will live
to see how kind you are.

14 Trust the [Lord]!
Be brave and strong
and trust the [Lord].