Psalms 27

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[1]David's faith in the power of God as his continual safeguard: [4]his love for the service of God: [7]he prayeth for future grace and assistance.

A Psalm of David.

1. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2. When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4. One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

9. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

11. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13. I had fainted, unless I had believed to 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 thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Metrical version

Psalm 27

C.M. Jackson, Ladywell

The LORD's my light and saving health,
who shall make me dismayed?
My life's strength is the LORD, of whom
then shall I be afraid?

When as mine enemies and foes,
most wicked persons all,
To eat my flesh against me rose,
they stumbled and did fall.

Against me though an host encamp,
my heart yet fearless is:
Though war against me rise, I will
be confident in this.

One thing I of the LORD desired,
and will seek to obtain,
That all days of my life I may
within GOD's house remain;

That I the beauty of the LORD
behold may and admire,
And that I in his holy place
may rev'rently enquire.

For he in his pavilion shall
me hide in evil days;
In secret of his tent me hide,
and on a rock me raise.

And now, ev'n at this present time,
mine head shall lifted be
Above all those that are my foes,
and round encompass me:

Therefore unto his tabernacle
I'll sacrifices bring
Of joyfulness; I'll sing, yea, I
to GOD will praises sing.

O LORD, give ear unto my voice,
when I do cry to thee;
Upon me also mercy have,
and do thou answer me.

When thou didst say, Seek ye my face,
then unto thee reply
Thus did my heart, Above all things
thy face, LORD, seek will I.

Far from me hide not thou thy face;
put not away from thee
Thy servant in thy wrath: thou hast
an helper been to me.

O God of my salvation,
leave me not, nor forsake:
Though me my parents both should leave,
the LORD will me up take.

O LORD, instruct me in thy way,
to me a leader be
In a plain path, because of those
that hatred bear to me.

Give me not to mine en'mies' will;
for witnesses that lie
Against me risen are, and such
as breathe out cruelty.

I fainted had, unless that I
believed had to see
The LORD's own goodness in the land
of them that living be.

Wait on the LORD, and be thou strong,
and he shall strength afford
Unto thine heart; yea, do thou wait,
I say, upon the LORD.