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New American Bible

2002 11 11
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The Wisdom Books
- Psalms
  - Chapter 27

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Chapter 27

Of David ^¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid?

^² When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, These my enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; Though war be waged against me, even then do I trust.

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the LORD'S house all the days of my life, To gaze on the LORD'S beauty, to visit his temple.

For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble, Will conceal me in the cover of his tent; and set me high upon a rock.

Even now my head is held high above my enemies on every side! I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and chant praise to the LORD.

I Hear my voice, LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.

^³ "Come," says my heart, "seek God's face"; your face, LORD, do I seek!

Do not hide your face from me; do not repel your servant in anger. You are my help; do not cast me off; do not forsake me, God my savior!

Even if my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me in.

LORD, show me your way; lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Do not abandon me to the will of my foes; malicious and lying witnesses have risen against me.

^⁴ But I believe I shall enjoy the LORD'S goodness in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!

1 [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the psalm (⇒ Psalm 27:1-6; 7-14) as one psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (⇒ Psalm 27:1-3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the temple, protection from all enemies (⇒ Psalm 27:4-6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (⇒ Psalm 27:7-12); the climax of the poem comes with "I believe" (⇒ Psalm 27:13), echoing "I trust" (⇒ Psalm 27:3).

2 [2] To devour my flesh: the psalmist's enemies are rapacious beasts (⇒ Psalm 7:3; ⇒ 17:12; ⇒ 22:14, ⇒ 17).

3 [8] Seek God's face (literally: "to seek his face"): to commune with God in the temple. The idiom is derived from the practice of journeying to sacred places. Cf ⇒ Hosea 5:15; ⇒ 2 Sam 21:1; ⇒ Psalm 24:6.

4 [13] In the land of the living: or "in the land of life," an epithet of the Jerusalem temple (⇒ Psalm 52:7; ⇒ 116:9; ⇒ Isaiah 38:11), where the faithful had access to the life-giving presence of God.

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