Psalms 27

¹By David. The LORD delivers and vindicates me! I fear no one! The LORD protects my life! I am afraid of no one!²When evil men attack me to devour my flesh, when my adversaries and enemies attack me, they stumble and fall.³Even when an army is deployed against me, I do not fear. Even when war is imminent, I remain confident.⁴I have asked the LORD for one thing– this is what I desire! I want to live in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the LORD and contemplate in his temple.⁵He will surely give me shelter in the day of danger; he will hide me in his home; he will place me on an inaccessible rocky summit.⁶Now I will triumph over my enemies who surround me! I will offer sacrifices in his dwelling place and shout for joy! I will sing praises to the LORD!⁷Hear me, O LORD, when I cry out! Have mercy on me and answer me!⁸My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O LORD.⁹Do not reject me! Do not push your servant away in anger! You are my deliverer! Do not forsake or abandon me, O God who vindicates me!¹⁰Even if my father and mother abandoned me, the LORD would take me in.¹¹Teach me how you want me to live, LORD; lead me along a level path because of those who wait to ambush me!¹²Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.¹³Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the LORD’s favor in the land of the living?¹⁴Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!