Psalms

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?

1The LORD is my light and the one who saves me. So who should I fear? The LORD keeps my life safe. So who should scare me?

2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

2Evil people came at me to tear me apart. But those enemies of mine tripped 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.

3Even if a whole army camped around me, I would not be afraid. Even if war broke out against me, I would still trust God.

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.

4I have asked the LORD for one thing, and it is what I keep looking for: to live in the LORD's house all my life, to look at how good and lovely he is, and to seek him 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.

5When trouble comes, he will hide me in his shelter. He will keep me safe inside his tent. He will lift me up onto a high rock.

Note"Pavilion" and "tabernacle" both mean a tent. The picture is God hiding someone inside his own tent, where a guest was protected.

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.

6Then I will stand tall over the enemies around me. At his tent I will bring offerings and shout for joy. I will sing, yes, I will sing to the LORD.

7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

7Listen, LORD, when I call out to you. Be kind to me and answer me.

8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

8You said, "Come and look for me." My heart answered, "LORD, I am looking for you."

NoteThe KJV opens this verse with God speaking. The Hebrew is short and hard to sort out, so translations differ about who says the first line.

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.

9Do not hide from me. Do not turn me away in anger. You have always helped me. Do not leave me or give up on me, God who saves me.

10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

10Even if my father and mother walked away from me, the LORD would take me in.

11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

11Teach me your way, LORD. Lead me down a smooth, level path, because people are watching for me to slip.

12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

12Do not hand me over to my enemies and let them do what they want. Liars have stood up to accuse me, and they are eager to hurt me.

13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

13I would have lost heart if I had not been sure of this: that I will see the LORD's goodness here among the living.

NoteIn the KJV, "I had fainted" is printed in italics because those words are not in the Hebrew; they were added to finish the sentence. "Fainted" here means lost hope, not passed out.

14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

14Wait for the LORD. Be brave and strong, and he will make your heart strong. Wait, I tell you, for the LORD.

Note"Wait on the LORD" means wait for him to act. It does not mean serve him or work for him.