26
(27) A Psalm of David, before he was anointed.
1 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 near against me to eat up my flesh, my persecutors and my 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 my 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 my head over my 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 listen to me.
8 My heart said to you, I have diligently sought your face: your face, O Lord, I will seek.
9 Turn not your face away from me, turn not you away from your servant in anger: be you 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 your way, and guide me in a right path, because of my 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 your heart be strengthened: yes wait on the Lord.
* 26:6 Gr. shouting. † 26:6 Or, and play on a lute. ‡ 26:13 Gr. good things.