Psalm 27 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Psa 27:1Of David.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold[fn] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

Psa 27:2

Psa 27:2When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

Psa 27:3

Psa 27:3Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[fn] I will be confident.

Psa 27:4

Psa 27:4One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire[fn] in his temple.

Psa 27:5

Psa 27:5For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.

Psa 27:6

Psa 27:6And now my head shall be 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.

Psa 27:7

Psa 27:7Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!

Psa 27:8

Psa 27:8You have said, “Seek[fn] my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, LORD, do I seek.”[fn]

Psa 27:9

Psa 27:9Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!

Psa 27:10

Psa 27:10For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the LORD will take me in.

Psa 27:11

Psa 27:11Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.

Psa 27:12

Psa 27:12Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.

Psa 27:13

Psa 27:13I believe that I shall look[fn] upon the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!

Psa 27:14

Psa 27:14Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

Or refuge

Or in this

Or meditate

The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person

(27:8)

The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain

(27:13)

Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.