A modern English translation drawn directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Translated word-for-word where possible, by a committee with scholarly oversight.
Uses the same source texts as the ESV, NASB, and most academic Bibles, including the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the Nestle-Aland critical edition.
Psalm 27
Psalm 27 is the twenty-seventh psalm. The 14-verse psalm is a confident expression of trust in God in the face of enemies and fear. It is attributed to David.
The psalm opens with one of the most quoted lines in the Psalter: "The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"
The psalmist describes enemies who advance against him to devour his flesh, but they stumble and fall. Though an army encamps against him, his heart will not fear. Though war breaks out against him, even then he will be confident.
He then describes what he most desires. One thing he asks of the LORD, this is what he seeks: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of his life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD, and to seek him in his temple. In the day of trouble God will hide him in his shelter, in the secret place of his tent. God will set him high upon a rock.
The tone shifts to direct prayer. "Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful to me and answer me." His heart speaks to him: "Seek His face." He answers: "Your face, O LORD, I will seek."
He asks God not to hide his face from him in anger, not to reject or forsake him, because the LORD is the God of his salvation. Though his father and mother forsake him, the LORD will receive him.
The psalm closes with one of its most quoted lines: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait for the LORD."
Verse 1. Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
Verse 2. When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
Verse 3. Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.
Verse 4. One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
Verse 5. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.
Verse 6. Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Verse 7. Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me.
Verse 8. My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.
Verse 9. Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Verse 10. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
Verse 11. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.
Verse 12. Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
Verse 13. Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Verse 14. Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!
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