1The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?2When the wicked advance against me to devour[1] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.4One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.7Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.8My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Saviour.10Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.11Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.12Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.14Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
1The LORD is my light, and he saves me. Why should I fear anyone? The LORD is my place of safety. Why should I be afraid?2My enemies are evil. They will trip and fall when they attack me and try to swallow me up.3Even if an army attacks me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war breaks out against me, I will still trust in God.4I’m asking the LORD for only one thing. Here is what I want. I want to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. I want to look at the beauty of the LORD. I want to worship him in his temple.5When I’m in trouble, he will keep me safe in his house. He will hide me in the safety of his holy tent. He will put me on a rock that is very high.6Then I will win the battle over my enemies who are all around me. At his holy tent I will offer my sacrifice with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the LORD.7LORD, hear my voice when I call out to you. Treat me with kindness and answer me.8My heart says, ‘Seek him!’ LORD, I will seek you.9Don’t turn your face away from me. Don’t turn me away because you are angry. You have helped me. God my Saviour, don’t say no to me. Don’t desert me.10My father and mother may desert me, but the LORD will accept me.11LORD, teach me your ways. Lead me along a straight path. There are many people who treat me badly.12My enemies want to harm me. So don’t turn me over to them. Witnesses who tell lies are rising up against me. They say all sorts of evil things about me.13Here is something I am still sure of. I will see the LORD’s goodness while I’m still alive.14Wait for the LORD. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the LORD.