The LORD Is My Light
Psalm 27 summary: what it means
Psalm 27 opens with two questions that answer themselves: if the LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The first six verses are confident. Enemies stumble and fall, and even an army camped nearby would not shake the speaker's heart. At the centre is one request, to live in the LORD's house and see his beauty, and a promise that in trouble God will hide the speaker and set them on a rock.
At verse 7 the tone changes. The same speaker now begs to be heard, asks God not to hide his face, and faces false witnesses. Verse 10 says, when my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. The psalm ends by holding on to the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living, and by telling the reader to wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27: The LORD Is My Light
World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-27
Psalm 27 commentary: explained verse by verse
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?
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?
The psalm starts with its conclusion. Light, salvation and strength are claimed first, and fear is then dismissed with two questions: whom shall I fear, and of whom shall I be afraid.
Also read Hebrews 13:6, Luke 3:6, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 56:2-4
When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh,even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Also read John 18:3-6, Job 31:31, Psalm 22:16, Psalm 18:4
Though an army should encamp against me,my heart shall not fear.Though war should rise against me,even then I will be confident.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
The confidence is tested against the worst case the speaker can imagine: an army camped against them, a war breaking out. Even then, the verse says, the heart will not fear.
Also read Job 4:6, 1 Samuel 28:15-16, Isaiah 54:16-17, Revelation 2:10
One thing I have asked of the LORD, that I will seek after:that I may dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life,to see the LORD’s beauty,and to inquire in his temple.
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.
Of everything the speaker could ask for, there is one thing: to live in the LORD's house all the days of their life. The reasons given are to see the LORD's beauty and to inquire in his temple, so the request is about nearness to God.
Also read 1 Timothy 5:5, Psalm 90:17, 1 Samuel 1:11, 2 Corinthians 3:18
For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion.In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me.He will lift me up on a rock.
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.
This explains why the one request matters. In the day of trouble God will keep the speaker hidden in his pavilion and tabernacle, and lift them up on a rock, out of reach.
Also read Matthew 7:24-25, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 40:2, Psalm 83:3
Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me.I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent.I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
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.
With their head lifted above the enemies around them, the speaker's response is worship. They promise sacrifices of joy and say twice that they will sing.
Also read 2 Samuel 22:1, Genesis 40:13, 2 Samuel 7:9, Genesis 40:20
Hear, LORD, when I cry with my voice.Have mercy also on me, and answer me.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
The mood changes sharply here. The confident voice of the first half now asks simply to be heard, to be shown mercy and to be answered.
Also read Psalm 5:2, Psalm 143:1-2, Psalm 130:2-4, Psalm 4:1
When you said, “Seek my face,”my heart said to you, “I will seek your face, LORD.”
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
A short exchange. God has said seek my face, and the speaker's heart answers that it will. The next verse asks God not to hide that face.
Also read Psalm 119:58, Hosea 5:15, Psalm 105:4, Psalm 24:6
Don’t hide your face from me.Don’t put your servant away in anger.You have been my help.Don’t abandon me,neither forsake me, God of my salvation.
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.
Also read Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 38:21-22, 2 Timothy 4:17-18, 1 Chronicles 28:9
When my father and my mother forsake me,then the LORD will take me up.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
The verse speaks of the closest human bonds failing: when my father and my mother forsake me. Then, it says, the LORD will take the speaker up.
Also read 2 Timothy 4:16, Psalm 69:8, Matthew 10:21-22, 2 Samuel 16:11
Teach me your way, LORD.Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Also read Proverbs 8:9, Psalm 25:9, Psalm 56:5-6, Psalm 25:12
Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,for false witnesses have risen up against me,such as breathe out cruelty.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
The threat is now named more precisely: false witnesses who breathe out cruelty. The speaker asks not to be handed over to what their adversaries want.
Also read Psalm 41:11, Psalm 38:16, 2 Samuel 16:7-8, 1 Samuel 26:19
I am still confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
After the pleas, the speaker returns to confidence. The hope is concrete: to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living, which places it in this life.
Also read Psalm 142:5, Ezekiel 26:20, Psalm 56:13, Job 28:13
Wait for the LORD.Be strong, and let your heart take courage.Yes, wait for the LORD.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
The psalm ends by speaking to the reader, or to the speaker's own heart. Wait for the LORD is said twice, with be strong and let your heart take courage in between.
Also read 2 Timothy 4:5-8, Psalm 33:20, Lamentations 3:26, 1 Corinthians 16:13
A prayer from Psalm 27
LORD, you are my light and my salvation, so whom shall I fear? You are the strength of my life. One thing I ask of you: to dwell in your house all the days of my life and to see your beauty. In the day of trouble, hide me in your shelter and set me high on a rock. Hear me when I cry, and answer me. You said, seek my face, and my heart answers, I will seek your face. Do not hide your face from me. Teach me your way and lead me on a straight path. I still believe I will see your goodness in the land of the living. Help me wait for you. Amen.
Psalm 27 Bible study questions
- In verse 4, what is the one thing the writer asks of the LORD, and what three things does he hope to do in God's house?
- In verse 8, how does the writer answer when God says seek my face, and what does he ask for in verse 9?
- The psalm moves from confidence in verses 1 to 6 to pleading in verses 7 to 12; what might cause a person's prayer to shift like that?
- Verse 14 tells the reader to wait for the LORD and take courage; what does waiting look like for you right now?
- How does the hope of dwelling in the LORD's house in Psalm 27:4 compare with the closing line of Psalm 23:6?
Questions about Psalm 27
What does Psalm 27:1 mean?
It claims the LORD as the speaker's light, salvation and strength, and on that basis asks whom there is left to fear. It sets the tone for the confident first half of the psalm.
Who wrote Psalm 27?
The heading attributes it to David. It does not say when or why it was written.
What is Psalm 27 about?
It moves from bold trust in God's protection to an urgent prayer not to be abandoned, and ends with a call to wait for the LORD. Its central request is to live in the LORD's house and see his beauty.
What does Psalm 27:4 mean?
It names the one thing the speaker asks of the LORD: to live in his house for life, to see his beauty and to inquire in his temple. The request is for nearness to God more than for any other benefit.
How does the King James Version word Psalm 27:4?
The KJV reads "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."
How does the King James Version word Psalm 27:13 and 14?
The KJV reads "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." The World English Bible begins verse 13 with I am still confident of this.
Psalm 27 KJV: the King James Version
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?1
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.2
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.3
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.4
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.5
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.6
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.7
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.8
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.9
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.10
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.11
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.12
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.13
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.14
Psalm 27 in Hebrew
The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.
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1 לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ אוֹרִ֣י וְ֭יִשְׁעִי מִמִּ֣י אִירָ֑א יְהוָ֥ה מָֽעוֹז־חַ֝יַּ֗י מִמִּ֥י אֶפְחָֽד׃
2 בִּקְרֹ֤ב עָלַ֨י ׀ מְרֵעִים֮ לֶאֱכֹ֪ל אֶת־בְּשָׂ֫רִ֥י צָרַ֣י וְאֹיְבַ֣י לִ֑י הֵ֖מָּה כָשְׁל֣וּ וְנָפָֽלוּ׃
3 אִם־תַּחֲנֶ֬ה עָלַ֨י ׀ מַחֲנֶה֮ לֹֽא־יִירָ֪א לִ֫בִּ֥י אִם־תָּק֣וּם עָ֭לַי מִלְחָמָ֑ה בְּ֝זֹ֗את אֲנִ֣י בוֹטֵֽחַ׃
4 אַחַ֤ת ׀ שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי מֵֽאֵת־יְהוָה֮ אוֹתָ֪הּ אֲבַ֫קֵּ֥שׁ שִׁבְתִּ֣י בְּבֵית־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיַּ֑י לַחֲז֥וֹת בְּנֹֽעַם־יְ֝הוָ֗ה וּלְבַקֵּ֥ר בְּהֵיכָלֽוֹ׃
5 כִּ֤י יִצְפְּנֵ֨נִי ׀ בְּסֻכֹּה֮ בְּי֪וֹם רָ֫עָ֥ה יַ֭סְתִּרֵנִי בְּסֵ֣תֶר אָהֳל֑וֹ בְּ֝צ֗וּר יְרוֹמְמֵֽנִי׃
6 וְעַתָּ֨ה יָר֪וּם רֹאשִׁ֡י עַ֤ל אֹֽיְבַ֬י סְֽבִיבוֹתַ֗י וְאֶזְבְּחָ֣ה בְ֭אָהֳלוֹ זִבְחֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֑ה אָשִׁ֥ירָה וַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה לַיהוָֽה׃
7 שְׁמַע־יְהוָ֖ה קוֹלִ֥י אֶקְרָ֗א וְחָנֵּ֥נִי וַעֲנֵֽנִי׃
8 לְךָ֤ ׀ אָמַ֣ר לִ֭בִּי בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ פָנָ֑י אֶת־פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְהוָ֣ה אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃
9 אַל־תַּסְתֵּ֬ר פָּנֶ֨יךָ ׀ מִמֶּנִּי֮ אַֽל־תַּט־בְּאַ֗ף עַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ עֶזְרָתִ֥י הָיִ֑יתָ אַֽל־תִּטְּשֵׁ֥נִי וְאַל־תַּֽ֝עַזְבֵ֗נִי אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׁעִֽי׃
10 כִּי־אָבִ֣י וְאִמִּ֣י עֲזָב֑וּנִי וַֽיהוָ֣ה יַֽאַסְפֵֽנִי׃
11 ה֤וֹרֵ֥נִי יְהוָ֗ה דַּ֫רְכֶּ֥ךָ וּ֭נְחֵנִי בְּאֹ֣רַח מִישׁ֑וֹר לְ֝מַ֗עַן שׁוֹרְרָֽי׃
12 אַֽל־תִּ֭תְּנֵנִי בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ צָרָ֑י כִּ֥י קָֽמוּ־בִ֥י עֵֽדֵי־שֶׁ֝֗קֶר וִיפֵ֥חַ חָמָֽס׃
13 לׅׄוּלֵׅׄ֗אׅׄ הֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּי לִרְא֥וֹת בְּֽטוּב־יְהוָ֗ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ חַיִּֽים׃
14 קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־יְה֫וָ֥ה חֲ֭זַק וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃
Psalm 27 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible
The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 26 there.
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1 The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
2 Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh. My enemies that trouble me, have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.
3 If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.
5 For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle; in the day of evils, he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle.
6 He hath exalted me upon a rock: and now he hath lifted up my head above my enemies. I have gone round, and have offered up in his tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: I will sing, and recite a psalm to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me and hear me.
8 My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
9 Turn not away thy face from me; decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.
10 For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up.
11 Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way, and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies.
12 Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.
13 I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
Psalm 27 in Latin
The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 26.
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1 Psalmus David, priusquam liniretur. Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea: quem timebo? Dominus protector vitæ meæ: a quo trepidabo?
2 Dum appropiant super me nocentes ut edant carnes meas, qui tribulant me inimici mei, ipsi infirmati sunt et ceciderunt.
3 Si consistant adversum me castra, non timebit cor meum; si exsurgat adversum me prælium, in hoc ego sperabo.
4 Unam petii a Domino, hanc requiram, ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitæ meæ; ut videam voluptatem Domini, et visitem templum ejus.
5 Quoniam abscondit me in tabernaculo suo; in die malorum protexit me in abscondito tabernaculi sui.
6 In petra exaltavit me, et nunc exaltavit caput meum super inimicos meos. Circuivi, et immolavi in tabernaculo ejus hostiam vociferationis; cantabo, et psalmum dicam Domino.
7 Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam, qua clamavi ad te; miserere mei, et exaudi me.
8 Tibi dixit cor meum: Exquisivit te facies mea; faciem tuam, Domine, requiram.
9 Ne avertas faciem tuam a me; ne declines in ira a servo tuo. Adjutor meus esto; ne derelinquas me, neque despicias me, Deus salutaris meus.
10 Quoniam pater meus et mater mea dereliquerunt me; Dominus autem assumpsit me.
11 Legem pone mihi, Domine, in via tua, et dirige me in semitam rectam, propter inimicos meos.
12 Ne tradideris me in animas tribulantium me, quoniam insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et mentita est iniquitas sibi.
13 Credo videre bona Domini in terra viventium.
14 Expecta Dominum, viriliter age: et confortetur cor tuum, et sustine Dominum.
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Psalm 27 at a glance
| Verses | 14 |
| Heading in the text | By David. |
| Attributed to | The heading attributes it to David. |
| Type | Trust and Lament |
| Number in Greek and Latin Bibles | Psalm 26 |
Read Psalm 27 when you are facing
fearcourageprotectiontrusting god
Psalm 27 in other translations
This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 27 in those translations at Bible Gateway.
Where Psalm 27 belongs
Psalms of DavidBook 1 of the Psalms
How this page was made
The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.
Sources
- Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
- Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source