Psalm 27

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-6) 78 Jackson, 150 Ladywell

(vv.7-10) 52 Durham, 108 St Botolph

(vv.11-14) 79 Kilmarnock, 61 Farrant

1    The Lord’s my light and saving health,

            who shall make me dismay’d?

      My life’s strength is the Lord, of whom

            then shall I be afraid?

2    When as mine enemies and foes,

            most wicked persons all,

      To eat my flesh against me rose,

            they stumbled and did fall.

3    Against me though an host encamp,

            my heart yet fearless is:

      Though war against me rise, I will

            be confident in this.

4    One thing I of the Lord desir’d,

            and will seek to obtain,

      That all days of my life I may

            within God’s house remain;

      That I the beauty of the Lord

            behold may and admire,

      And that I in his holy place

            may rev’rently enquire.

5    For he in his pavilion shall

            me hide in evil days;

      In secret of his tent me hide,

            and on a rock me raise.

6    And now, ev’n at this present time,

            mine head shall lifted be

      Above all those that are my foes,

            and round encompass me:

      Therefore unto his tabernacle

            I’ll sacrifices bring

      Of joyfulness; I’ll sing, yea, I

            to God will praises sing.

7    O Lord, give ear unto my voice,

            when I do cry to thee;

      Upon me also mercy have,

            and do thou answer me.

8    When thou didst say, Seek ye my face,

            then unto thee reply

      Thus did my heart, Above all things

            thy face, Lord, seek will I.

9    Far from me hide not thou thy face;

            put not away from thee

      Thy servant in thy wrath: thou hast

            an helper been to me.

      O God of my salvation,

            leave me not, nor forsake:

10  Though me my parents both should leave,

            the Lord will me up take.

11  O Lord, instruct me in thy way,

            to me a leader be

      In a plain path, because of those

            that hatred bear to me.

12  Give me not to mine en’mies’ will;

            for witnesses that lie

      Against me risen are, and such

            as breathe out cruelty.

13  I fainted had, unless that I

            believed had to see

      The Lord’s own goodness in the land

            of them that living be.

14  Wait on the Lord, and be thou strong,

            and he shall strength afford

      Unto thine heart; yea, do thou wait,

            I say, upon the Lord.