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Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the Lord
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
    above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
    singing and praising the Lord with music.

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
    Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not turn your back on me.
    Do not reject your servant in anger.
    You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
    O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close.

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path,
    for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
    For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
    with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Davidic

Confidence in the Lord

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom will I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
    of whom will I be afraid?

When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors
    come near me to devour my flesh,
        they stumble and fall.
If an army encamps against me,
    my heart will not fear.
If a war is launched against me,
    I will even trust in that situation.
I have asked one thing from the Lord;
    it is what I really seek:
that I may remain in the Lord’s Temple
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord;
    and to inquire in his Temple.

For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of evil;
    He will hide me in a secluded chamber within his tent;
        He will place me on a high rock.
Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies,
    even those who surround me.
I will sacrifice in his tent with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make melodies to the Lord.

Hear my voice, Lord, when I cry out!
    Be gracious to me and answer me.
My mind recalls your word,[a]
    “Seek my face,”
        so your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me;
    do not turn away in anger from your servant.
You have been my help,
    therefore do not abandon or forsake me,
        God of my salvation.
10 Though my father and my mother abandoned me,
    the Lord gathers me up.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Do not hand me over to the desires of my enemies;
    for false witnesses have risen up against me;
        even the one who breathes out violence.
13 I believe that I will see the Lord’s goodness
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord.
    Be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart.
        Wait on the Lord!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 27:8 The Heb. lacks your word