Christianity

Psalms 27The Lord Is My Light

Summary

Psalm 27 begins with bold confidence that the LORD is light and salvation, so there is no one to fear, even if an army camps around. The one thing the psalmist seeks is to dwell in God's house and behold his beauty. The second half turns to urgent pleading not to be forsaken, even if father and mother forsake him, and ends with the call to wait on the LORD. It is traditionally ascribed to David.

Key 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?”

Psalms 27:1

Themes

Fearless Trust
Seeking God's Face
God's House
Waiting on the Lord

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Judaism
Tehillim 27 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
Many Jewish communities recite this psalm twice daily from the start of the month of Elul through the autumn festival season, as preparation for the High Holy Days.
Islam
Surah An-Noor (24): God Is the Light
Quran 24:35 calls God the Light of the heavens and the earth and guides whom he will to his light. The Quran's light is cosmic and metaphysical, while Psalm 27 speaks of personal protection.

Questions about Psalms 27

When is Psalm 27 recited in Jewish tradition?

In many communities it is said from the first of Elul until Hoshana Rabbah or Shemini Atzeret, covering the season of repentance, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

What is the one thing in Psalm 27:4?

The psalmist asks above all to dwell in the house of the LORD all his life, to behold God's beauty and to inquire in his temple.