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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 27

Psalm 27 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book I (Psalms 1–41). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

PraiseLamentMercy & Forgiveness
Old Testament

Psalm 27

1By David. 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?

2When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

3Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.

4One 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.

5For 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.

6Now 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.

7Hear, LORD, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy also on me, and answer me.

8When you said, “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “I will seek your face, LORD.”

9Don’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.

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

11Teach me your way, LORD. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.

12Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, such as breathe out cruelty.

13I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 27

Psalm 27 is read especially through the theme of praise, within Book I (Psalms 1–41). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book I (Psalms 1–41). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Praise, Lament, Mercy & Forgiveness. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 27

Psalm 27 contains 14 verses and about 311 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “By David. 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?” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 14 closes: “Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include will, don’t, heart, seek, face, salvation. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 27

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 27:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes praise, with related themes of Praise, Lament, Mercy & Forgiveness. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

You do not have to have everything figured out.

Begin with one honest question, one passage read carefully, and one faithful next step.

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