1 T he Lord is my Light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

The Lord is my light and the One Who saves me. Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom should I be afraid?

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

When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell.

3 T hough a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, in this will I be confident.

Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.

4 O ne thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I will look for: that I may live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to look upon the beauty of the Lord, and to worship in His holy house.

5 F or in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His holy tent. In the secret place of His tent He will hide me. He will set me high upon a rock.

6 A nd now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Then my head will be lifted up above all those around me who hate me. I will give gifts in His holy tent with a loud voice of joy. I will sing. Yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 H ear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me!

O Lord, listen to my cry. Show loving-kindness to me and answer me.

8 Y ou have said, Seek My face. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require.

You have said, “Look for My face.” My heart said to You, “O Lord, Your face will I look for.”

9 H ide not Your face from me; turn not Your servant away in anger, You Who have been my help! Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!

Do not hide Your face from me. Do not turn Your servant away in anger. You have been my Helper. Do not turn away from me or leave me alone, O God Who saves me!

10 A lthough my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up.

For my father and my mother have left me. But the Lord will take care of me.

11 T each me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path because of my enemies.

Teach me Your way, O Lord. Lead me in a straight path, because of those who fight against me.

12 G ive me not up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me; they breathe out cruelty and violence.

Do not give me over to the desire of those who hate me. For people who tell lies about me rise against me, and breathe a desire to hurt me.

13 h ad I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!

I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 W ait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.