26
1 A Psalm of David, before he was anointed.
The Lord is my light and my Saviour; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil-doers drew nigh against me to eat up my flesh, my persecutors and mine enemies, they fainted and fell. 3 Though an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be afraid: though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek: that I should dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I should behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and survey his temple. 5 For in the day of mine afflictions he hid me in his tabernacle: he sheltered me in the secret of his tabernacle; he set me up on a rock. 6 And now, behold, he has lifted up mine head over mine enemies: I went round and offered in his tabernacle the sacrifice of *joy; I will sing, †even sing psalms to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, my voice which I have uttered aloud: pity me, and hearken to me. 8 My heart said to thee, I have diligently sought thy face: thy face, O Lord, I will seek. 9 Turn not thy face away from me, turn not thou away from thy servant in anger: be thou my helper, forsake me not; and, O God my Saviour, overlook me not. 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord has taken me to himself. 11 Teach me, O Lord, in thy way, and guide me in a right path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over to the desire of them that afflict me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and injustice has lied within herself.
13 I believe that I shall see the ‡goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and let thy heart be strengthened: yea, wait on the Lord.
* 26:6 Gr. shouting. † 26:6 Or, and play on a psaltery. ‡ 26:13 Gr. good things.