Poetry Thursday: Psalm 27

Triumphant Psalm of Confidence

a Psalm of David

¹ The Spirit is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Spirit is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

² When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh--
my adversaries and foes--
they shall stumble and fall.

³ Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I asked of the Creator,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Creator
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Creator,
and to inquire in Its temple.

⁵ For the Creator will shelter me
in the day of trouble;
and conceal me under the cover of Its tent;
and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in the Spirit's tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to tmy Creator.

⁷ Hear, O Ruler, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
⁸ "Come," my heart says, "seek your Creator's face!"
Your face, O Spirit, do I seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O Ruler of my salvation!
¹⁰ If my father and mother forsake me,
the Spirit will take me up.

¹¹ Teach me your way, O Spirit,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
¹² Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.

¹³ I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Spirit
in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Spirit;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Spirit!

[graphic via Fiser Art Studio]