Psalm 27 · KJV
Psalm 27
The Lord Is My Light
Psalm 27 is a declaration of courage in the face of enemies and fear: with God as light, salvation, and stronghold, there is no one and nothing left to be afraid of. It ends by urging the reader to wait on the Lord with a strong heart.
Psalm 27 (KJV)
1The 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?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One 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.
5For 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.
6And 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.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide 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.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
What Psalm 27 means
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" David writes as someone under real threat — armies encamped, false witnesses rising — yet his one desire is simply to dwell in God's house and behold His beauty. Confidence here is not the absence of danger but the presence of God as a stronghold.
The psalm ends with one of the Bible's great encouragements: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart." It models a faith that is honest about fear and chooses to hope anyway — believing to "see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."
Key verses
“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?”
Psalm 27:1 · KJV — The fearless opening line.
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14 · KJV — The closing charge to wait and take courage.
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A prayer from Psalm 27
Lord, You are my light and my salvation — I will not be afraid. Teach me to wait on You with courage, and strengthen my heart to see Your goodness in the land of the living. Amen.
Themes in this passage
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Frequently asked
What does Psalm 27 mean?
Psalm 27 is a declaration of courage in the face of enemies and fear: with God as light, salvation, and stronghold, there is no one and nothing left to be afraid of. It ends by urging the reader to wait on the Lord with a strong heart.
What is Psalm 27 about?
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" David writes as someone under real threat — armies encamped, false witnesses rising — yet his one desire is simply to dwell in God's house and behold His beauty. Confidence here is not the absence of danger but the presence of God as a stronghold.
What is the key verse in Psalm 27?
Psalm 27:1 — “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?”
Is Psalm 27 in the King James Version?
Yes. The full text of Psalm 27 on this page is the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.