Psalm 27
by David, translated by Alan Sullivan
01: The Lord is my light, my salvation.Who shall awe me?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life.
Whom shall I fear?
02: When the spoilers, my hateful foes,
come to consume my flesh,
they stumble and fall.
03: Though an army encamp against me,
I shall not be daunted.
Though war be declared against me,
I shall be unafraid.
04: I have asked one boon of the Lord;
I seek it still:
that I dwell in the house of the Lord
all my life’s days,
beholding the Lord’s resplendence,
visiting his temple.
05: On the day of woe,
his pavilion will conceal me.
He will hide me in his tent-flap.
He has lifted me with his might.
06: See! I hold my head
higher than foes around me.
Joyfully I will bring
my gifts to your abode.
I will chant and sing to the Lord.
07: Hear, oh Lord,
the cry I voice;
have pity and answer me.
08: My heart abjures me:
seek out your presence.
Therefore I yearn for you, Lord.
09: Hide not your visage from me,
nor banish your servant in anger.
You aided me; turn not away;
forsake me not,
my God of salvation.
10: When father and mother depart me
the Lord will take me up.
11: Instruct me, Lord, in your way;
on the level path, guide me,
for I have been hated.
12: Yield me not
to the will of my foes.
False witnesses
rose against me,
breathers of calumnies.
13: Yet I believed I would see
the good of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14: Wait for the Lord;
be brave; may your heart be steadied.
Wait for the Lord.
—Translated by Alan Sullivan with the assistance of Seree Cohen Zohar.