Psalm 27

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Psalm 27

Triumphant Song of Confidence

Of David.

¹The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold^[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?^(A)

²When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.^(B)

³Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.^(C)

⁴One thing I asked of the Lord;
    this I seek:
to live 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.^(D)

⁵For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.^(E)

⁶Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.^(F)

⁷Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!^(G)
⁸“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, do I seek.^(H)
⁹    Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
    you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off; do not forsake me,
    O God of my salvation!^(I)
¹⁰If my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will take me up.^(J)

¹¹Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.^(K)
¹²Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they are breathing out violence.^(L)

¹³I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.^(M)
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!^(N)

Footnotes

27.1 Or refuge

Psalm 27

The Message

27 Light, space, zest—
that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.

²When vandal hordes ride down
ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
fall flat on their faces.

³When besieged,
I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose,
I’m collected and cool.

⁴I’m asking God for one thing,
    only one thing:
To live with him in his house
    my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
    I’ll study at his feet.

⁵That’s the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.

⁶God holds me head and shoulders
    above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
    that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs;
    I’m making music to God.

^7-9Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
    “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
    my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!”
    Don’t hide from me now!

^9-10You’ve always been right there for me;
    don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
    you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
    but God took me in.

^11-12Point me down your highway, God;
    direct me along a well-lighted street;
    show my enemies whose side you’re on.
Don’t throw me to the dogs,
    those liars who are out to get me,
    filling the air with their threats.

^13-14I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
    in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
    Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
    Stay with God.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

The Message (MSG)

Psalm 27 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition