The Lord Is My Light
Study note
David declares that God is his light, salvation, and stronghold. He fears no one. His one great desire is to live in God's house and gaze on his beauty.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 Hateful people rushed at me to tear me apart. My foes came at me hard. But they were the ones who tripped and fell. When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Even if an entire army lined up to attack me, my heart would not panic. Even if a full-scale war erupted around me, my confidence would hold. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
5 When trouble comes, he hides me away in his safe place. He keeps me out of sight under the cover of his tent. He lifts me up high on a solid rock. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted above the enemies crowded around me, and I will bring joyful offerings in his tent. I will sing — I will make music for the Lord! And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
A Prayer for God's Presence
Study note
David asks God to hear his voice and not hide his face. Even if his father and mother abandon him, the Lord will take him in.
7 Listen when I call out to you, Lord. Show me kindness and give me an answer. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When you said, "Come look for my face," my heart answered right back: "Lord, I am looking for your face right now." When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Please don't turn your face away from me. Don't push your servant aside in anger. You have always been my help. Don't throw me out or walk away from me, God of my salvation. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 If my own mother and father walked away from me, the Lord would welcome me in. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11 Lord, show me the way you want me to go. Lead me down a smooth road, because I have enemies watching. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Do not hand me over to my enemies. People are standing up and lying about me. Every breath they take is filled with hate and violence. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Wait for the Lord
Study note
David encourages himself: he would have despaired if he did not believe he would see God's goodness. He ends with the famous words: Wait for the Lord and be strong.
13 Here is what I hold on to: I am going to see the Lord's goodness right here in the land of the living. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Hold on and wait for the Lord. Let your heart be brave and strong. Yes — keep waiting for the Lord! Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.