TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Psalms 27

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1The LORDיְהוָ֤ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is my lightאוֹרִ֣י’ō·w·rî — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study → and my salvationוְ֭יִשְׁעִיwə·yiš·‘î — Salvation, deliverance, safetyH3468 — Full Word Study →whomמִמִּ֣יmim·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → shall I fearאִירָ֑א’î·rā — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →? The LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is the strongholdמָֽעוֹז־mā·‘ō·wz- — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study → of my lifeחַ֝יַּ֗יḥay·yay — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →whomמִמִּ֥יmim·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → shall I dreadאֶפְחָֽד׃’ep̄·ḥāḏ — to fear, dread, or be afraidH6342 — Full Word Study →? 2When the wickedמְרֵעִים֮mə·rê·‘îm — to break, spoil, or do evilH7489 — Full Word Study → cameבִּקְרֹ֤בbiq·rōḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → upon meעָלַ֨י׀‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → to devourלֶאֱכֹ֪לle·’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → my fleshבְּשָׂ֫רִ֥יbə·śā·rî — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →, my enemiesצָרַ֣יṣā·ray — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study → and foesוְאֹיְבַ֣יwə·’ō·yə·ḇay — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → stumbledכָשְׁל֣וּḵā·šə·lū — to stumble, fall, or collapseH3782 — Full Word Study → and fellוְנָפָֽלוּ׃wə·nā·p̄ā·lū — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →. 3Thoughאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → an armyמַחֲנֶה֮ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → encampsתַּחֲנֶ֬הta·ḥă·neh — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → around meעָלַ֨י׀‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, my heartלִ֫בִּ֥יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → will not fearיִירָ֪אyî·rā — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →; thoughאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → a warמִלְחָמָ֑הmil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → breaks outתָּק֣וּםtā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → against meעָ֭לַי‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will keep my trustבוֹטֵֽחַ׃ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study →. 4One thingאַחַ֤ת׀’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → I have askedשָׁאַ֣לְתִּיšā·’al·tî — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֮Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; this is what I desireאֲבַ֫קֵּ֥שׁ’ă·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study →: to dwellשִׁבְתִּ֣יšiḇ·tî — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in the houseבְּבֵית־bə·ḇêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the daysיְמֵ֣יyə·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of my lifeחַיַּ֑יḥay·yay — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, to gazeלַחֲז֥וֹתla·ḥă·zō·wṯ — to see, behold, perceive, or prophesyH2372 — Full Word Study → on the beautyבְּנֹֽעַם־bə·nō·‘am- — Pleasantness, beauty, grace, or charmH5278 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → and seek Himוּלְבַקֵּ֥רū·lə·ḇaq·qêr — to inquire, search out, investigateH1239 — Full Word Study → in His templeבְּהֵיכָלֽוֹ׃bə·hê·ḵā·lōw — Temple, palace, sanctuary structureH1964 — Full Word Study →. 5Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → in the dayבְּי֪וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of troubleרָ֫עָ֥הrā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → He will hide meיִצְפְּנֵ֨נִי׀yiṣ·pə·nê·nî — to hide, conceal, treasure up, or keep secretH6845 — Full Word Study → in His shelterבְּסֻכֹּה֮bə·suk·kōh — hidden shelter or refuge; place of concealmentH5520 — Full Word Study →; He will conceal meיַ֭סְתִּרֵנִיyas·ti·rê·nî — To hide, conceal, or keep secretH5641 — Full Word Study → under the coverבְּסֵ֣תֶרbə·sê·ṯer — hiding place, shelter, concealmentH5643 — Full Word Study → of His tentאָהֳל֑וֹ’ā·ho·lōw — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study →; He will set me highיְרוֹמְמֵֽנִי׃yə·rō·wm·mê·nî — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → upon a rockבְּ֝צ֗וּרbə·ṣūr — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study →. 6Thenוְעַתָּ֨הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → my headרֹאשִׁ֡יrō·šî — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → will be held highיָר֪וּםyā·rūm — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → aboveעַ֤ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → my enemiesאֹֽיְבַ֬י’ō·yə·ḇay — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → around meסְֽבִיבוֹתַ֗יsə·ḇî·ḇō·w·ṯay — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study →. At His tabernacleבְ֭אָהֳלוֹḇə·’ā·ho·lōw — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → I will offerוְאֶזְבְּחָ֣הwə·’ez·bə·ḥāh — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → sacrificesזִבְחֵ֣יziḇ·ḥê — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → with shouts of joyתְרוּעָ֑הṯə·rū·‘āh — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study →; I will singאָשִׁ֥ירָה’ā·šî·rāh — to sing, make musicH7891 — Full Word Study → and make musicוַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗הwa·’ă·zam·mə·rāh — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 7Hearשְׁמַע־šə·ma‘- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, my voiceקוֹלִ֥יqō·w·lî — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → when I callאֶקְרָ֗א’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →; be mercifulוְחָנֵּ֥נִיwə·ḥān·nê·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → and answer meוַעֲנֵֽנִי׃wa·‘ă·nê·nî — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →. 8My heartלִ֭בִּיlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → saidאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Seekבַּקְּשׁ֣וּbaq·qə·šū — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → His faceפָנָ֑יp̄ā·nāy — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →.” Your faceפָּנֶ֖יךָpā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, I will seekאֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃’ă·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study →. 9Hideתַּסְתֵּ֬רtas·têr — To hide, conceal, or keep secretH5641 — Full Word Study → notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → Your faceפָּנֶ֨יךָ׀pā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → from meמִמֶּנִּי֮mim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, norאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → turn awayתַּט־taṭ- — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → Your servantעַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → in angerבְּאַ֗ףbə·’ap̄ — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →. You have beenהָיִ֑יתָhā·yî·ṯā — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my helperעֶזְרָתִ֥י‘ez·rā·ṯî — help, assistance, aidH5833 — Full Word Study →; do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → leave meתִּטְּשֵׁ֥נִיtiṭ·ṭə·šê·nî — to abandon, forsake, or let goH5203 — Full Word Study → orוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → forsake meתַּֽ֝עַזְבֵ֗נִיta·‘az·ḇê·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of my salvationיִשְׁעִֽי׃yiš·‘î — Salvation, deliverance, safetyH3468 — Full Word Study →. 10Thoughכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → my fatherאָבִ֣י’ā·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמִּ֣יwə·’im·mî — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → forsake meעֲזָב֑וּנִי‘ă·zā·ḇū·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →, the LORDוַֽיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will receive meיַֽאַסְפֵֽנִי׃ya·’as·p̄ê·nî — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study →. 11Teach meה֤וֹרֵ֥נִיhō·w·rê·nî — To shoot, throw, or teach; to direct or instructH3384 — Full Word Study → Your wayדַּ֫רְכֶּ֥ךָdar·ke·ḵā — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and lead meוּ֭נְחֵנִיū·nə·ḥê·nî — To lead, guide, direct with authorityH5148 — Full Word Study → on a levelמִישׁ֑וֹרmî·šō·wr — level ground, plains, or moral straightnessH4334 — Full Word Study → pathבְּאֹ֣רַחbə·’ō·raḥ — Way, path, or manner of travelingH734 — Full Word Study →, because ofלְ֝מַ֗עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → my oppressorsשׁוֹרְרָֽי׃šō·wr·rāy — enemy, adversary, foeH8324 — Full Word Study →. 12Do notאַֽל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → hand me overתִּ֭תְּנֵנִיtit·tə·nê·nî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to the willבְּנֶ֣פֶשׁbə·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → of my foesצָרָ֑יṣā·rāy — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → falseשֶׁ֝֗קֶרŠe·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → witnessesעֵֽדֵי־‘ê·ḏê·še- — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → rise upקָֽמוּ־qā·mū- — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → against me, breathing outוִיפֵ֥חַwî·p̄ê·aḥ — to breathe out, blow, snortH3307 — Full Word Study → violenceחָמָֽס׃ḥā·mās — Violence, cruelty, or wrongful harmH2555 — Full Word Study →. 13Stillלׅׄוּלֵׅׄ֗אׅׄlū·lē — unless, except, if notH3884 — Full Word Study → I am certainהֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּיhe·’ĕ·man·tî — to trust, believe, be faithfulH539 — Full Word Study → to seeלִרְא֥וֹתlir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the goodnessבְּֽטוּב־bə·ṭūḇ- — goodness, welfare, prosperity, well-beingH2898 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּאֶ֣רֶץbə·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of the livingחַיִּֽים׃ḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →. 14Wait patientlyקַוֵּ֗הqaw·wêh — To wait for; to expect with hopeH6960 — Full Word Study → forאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְה֫וָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; be strongחֲ֭זַקḥă·zaq — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → and courageousוְיַאֲמֵ֣ץwə·ya·’ă·mêṣ — To strengthen, make firm, or be courageousH553 — Full Word Study →. Wait patientlyוְ֝קַוֵּ֗הwə·qaw·wêh — To wait for; to expect with hopeH6960 — Full Word Study → forאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →!
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Psalms 27
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 27 is a powerful declaration of trust in God amid life's deepest fears and uncertainties. Written by David, this psalm moves from confident assurance of God's protection (verses 1–6) to earnest prayer requesting His continued presence and guidance (verses 7–14). The psalmist anchors his faith not in circumstances, but in the character and faithfulness of the Lord. This psalm reminds us that genuine confidence in God is not the absence of enemies or troubles, but the presence of an unshakeable conviction that the Lord Himself is our light, salvation, and strength.

Verses 1–3: Confidence in God's Protection

David opens with one of Scripture's most celebrated affirmations: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (v. 1). Light represents God's guidance and truth; salvation refers to His deliverance. When these two are ours, fear loses its grip. Verse 2 recalls a specific moment when David's enemies came to destroy him, yet they "stumbled and fell"—God's intervention was decisive and visible. In verse 3, David escalates the imagery: even if an entire army encamped against him, his heart would remain steadfast. This is not overconfidence or denial of real danger, but faith grounded in God's proven character. The lesson is clear: our security rests not on military strength or favorable circumstances, but on the Lord's unfailing protection.

Verses 4–6: The Heart's Deepest Desire

Verse 4 reveals David's supreme priority: "One thing have I desired of the LORD...that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD." This is not about mere temple attendance; it expresses the longing for intimate communion with God. The "beauty of the LORD" suggests God's holiness, majesty, and character. In verse 5, David describes God's protection as hiding him "in his pavilion" and "the secret of his tabernacle"—language of refuge and intimate shelter. God "sets him up upon a rock," a place of stability and elevation above his troubles. Verse 6 shows the confident outcome: David's head is lifted above his enemies, and his response is sacrificial joy and praise. This progression teaches that those whose highest desire is communion with God will find both protection and the grace to respond with thanksgiving.

Verses 7–12: Urgent Prayer and Petition

The mood shifts to active supplication. David "cries" to the Lord and begs for mercy and an answer (v. 7). Verse 8 shows a beautiful exchange: God invites David to "seek [His] face," and David's heart immediately responds with commitment. Yet in verses 9–10, David's tone becomes desperate: "Hide not thy face far from me...leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation." Even David's earthly parents might abandon him, but the Lord will receive him. This is not weakness but honest prayer—bringing our deepest fears to God. Verses 11–12 shift to requests for guidance and protection from false accusers who "breathe out cruelty." David needs both direction ("teach me thy way") and deliverance from his enemies' malice.

Verses 13–14: Faith's Victory

Verse 13 contains the turning point: "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." David's survival—physically and spiritually—depends entirely on his faith that God is good and will demonstrate it in this life, not merely in eternity. The psalm closes with a command to himself and to us: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (v. 14). The repetition emphasizes that patience and faith are not passive resignation but active trust.

Application for Today

Psalm 27 invites us to examine where we find our confidence. Do we trust in circumstances, relationships, or finances—or in the Lord Himself? The psalmist models how to bring both our boldest affirmations and our deepest fears to God in prayer. As believers, we can claim with even greater assurance than David that Christ is our light and salvation, having paid the price for our sin. When anxiety threatens, we are called to wait patiently, seek God's face earnestly, and allow His strength to calm our anxious hearts.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note