Psalm 27

A Psalm of David.

1        The Lord's my light and saving health,

                   who shall make me dismay'd?

          My life's strength is the Lord, of whom

                   then shall I be afraid?

2        When as mine enemies and foes,

                   most wicked persons all,

          To eat my flesh against me rose,

                   they stumbled and did fall.

3        Against me though an host encamp,

                   my heart yet fearless is:

          Though war against me rise, I will

                   be confident in this.

4        One thing I of the Lord desir'd,

                   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.

5        For he in his pavilion shall

                   me hide in evil days;

          In secret of his tent me hide,

                   and on a rock me raise.

6        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.

7        O Lord, give ear unto my voice,

                   when I do cry to thee;

          Upon me also mercy have,

                   and do thou answer me.

8        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.

9        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:

10      Though me my parents both should leave,

                   the Lord will me up take.

11      O Lord, instruct me in thy way,

                   to me a leader be

          In a plain path, because of those

                   that hatred bear to me.

12      Give me not to mine en'mies' will;

                   for witnesses that lie

          Against me risen are, and such

                   as breathe out cruelty.

13      I fainted had, unless that I

                   believed had to see

          The Lord's own goodness in the land

                   of them that living be.

14      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.