My Light and My Salvation

Psalm 27:1-14

Psalm 27 is a psalm of David, a song of confidence that turns into a plea, beginning “The LORD is my light and my salvation” and ending with the call to wait patiently for the LORD.

Lord, You are my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? You are the stronghold of my life. When trouble surrounds me, hide me in Your shelter and set me high upon a rock. One thing I ask: to dwell with You and gaze on Your beauty. Hear my voice when I call. Do not leave me or forsake me. Teach me Your way, and make me strong and courageous as I wait for You. Amen.

The Scripture

“Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread? When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust. One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me. My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek. Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors. Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!”

— Psalm 27:1-14

Prayer points from Psalm 27:1-14

Declare to God that He is your light, your salvation and your stronghold (v. 1).

Name what you are afraid of, and ask Him to hide you in His shelter (vv. 3, 5).

Tell Him the one thing you most desire: to be near Him (v. 4).

Ask Him not to leave you or forsake you (vv. 9–10).

Ask Him to teach you His way and lead you on a level path (v. 11).

Ask for strength and courage to wait patiently for Him (v. 14).

About this verse

Psalm 27 has two halves. In verses 1–6 David is confident: with the LORD as his light and stronghold, even an army camped around him cannot make his heart afraid, and his one desire is to dwell in the house of the LORD and gaze on His beauty. In verses 7–12 the tone changes to urgent prayer, “Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call,” and “do not leave me or forsake me,” as enemies and false witnesses press in. Faith and fear sit side by side in the same psalm, and David prays through both. He ends by holding on to what he is sure of, “the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living,” and by telling his own heart: “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous.” This prayer is for anyone facing fear or opposition who needs courage to keep waiting on God.

My Light and My Salvation

The Scripture

Prayer points from Psalm 27:1-14

About this verse

When to pray this prayer

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