Psalms 27 · Verse 1

Psalms 27:1

A Psalm of David. 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?
Psalms 27:1, King James Version

Psalms 27:1 in other translations

BSBOf 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?
WEBBy David. 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?
ASVA Psalm of David. Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
YLTBy David. Jehovah is my light and my salvation, Whom do I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life, Of whom am I afraid?
DARBYA Psalm of David. Jehovah is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
BBEThe Lord is my light and my salvation; who is then a cause of fear to me? the Lord is the strength of my life; who is a danger to me?
WebsterA Psalm of David. 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?

What does Psalms 27:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Psa 27:1-14. With a general strain of confidence, hope, and joy, especially in God's worship, in the midst of dangers, the Psalmist introduces prayer for divine help and guidance.

1. light--is a common figure for comfort. strength--or, "stronghold"--affording security against all violence. The interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The righteous man's confidence in God, Psa 27:1-3; his ardent desire to have the spiritual privilege of worshipping God in his temple, because of the spiritual blessings which he expects to enjoy there, Psa 27:4-6; his prayer to God for continual light and salvation, Psa 27:7-9; has confidence that, though even has ohm parents might forsake him, yet God would not, Psa 27:10. Therefore he begs to be taught the right way to be delivered from all his enemies, and to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, Psa 27:11-13; he exhorts others to trust in God; to be of good courage; and to expect strength for their hearts, Psa 27:14. In the Hebrew and Chaldee this Psalm has no other title than simply לדוד ledavid: To or For David. In the Syriac: "For David; on account of an infirmity which fell upon him." In the Vulgate, Septuagint, Arabic, and Ethiopic, it has this title: "A Psalm of David, before he was anointed." The Anglo-Saxon omits all the titles. For this title there is no authority in fact. However, it may be just necessary to state that David appears to have received the royal unction three times: 1. In Bethlehem from the hand of Samuel, in the house of his father Jesse; 1Sam 16:13. 2. At Hebron after the death of Saul, by the men of Judah, 2Sam 2:4. 3. By the elders of Israel, at Hebron, after the death of Ishbosheth, when he was acknowledged king over all the tribes; 2Sam 5:3. At which of these anointings the Psalm was written, or whether before any of them, we know not; nor is the question to be decided. Some commentators say that it is a Psalm belonging to the captivity, and upon that system it may be well interpreted. And lastly, it has been contended that it was written by David after he had been in danger of losing his life by the hand of a gigantic Philistine, and must have perished had he not been succoured by Abishai; see the account 2Sam 21:17 (note); and was counselled by his subjects not to go out to battle any more, lest he should extinguish the light of Israel. To these advisers he is supposed to make the following reply: - Verse 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation - This light can never be extinguished by man; the Lord is my salvation, my safeguard, my shield, and my defense; of whom then should I be afraid?

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 27:1-6
The Lord, who is the believer's light, is the strength of his life; not only by whom, but in whom he lives and moves. In God let us strengthen ourselves. The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to hear prayer, the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his people; these are the secret of his tabernacle, and in these the saints find cause for that holy security and peace of mind in which they dwell at ease. The psalmist prays for constant communion with God in holy ordinances. All God's children desire to dwell in their Father's house. Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, to tarry but for a night; or to dwell there for a time only, as the servant that abides not in the house for ever; but to dwell there all the days of their life, as children with a father. Do we hope that the praising of God will be the blessedness of our eternity? Surely then we ought to make it the business of our time. This he had at heart more than any thing. Whatever the Christian is as to this life, he considers the favour and service of God as the one thing needful. This he desires, prays for and seeks after, and in it he rejoices.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 27:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יְהוָ֤ה\׀Yah.wehYahwehH3068
אוֹרִ֣י'o.Ri[is] light myH216
וְ֭יִשְׁעִיVe.yish.'iand salvation myH3468
מִמִּ֣יmi.Mifrom whom?H4310
אִירָ֑א'i.Ra'will I be afraidH3372
יְהוָ֥הYah.wehYahwehH3068
מָֽעוֹז\־ma.'oz-[is] [the] refuge ofH4581
חַ֝יַּ֗יchai.Yailife myH2416
מִמִּ֥יmi.Mifrom whom?H4310
אֶפְחָֽד\׃'ef.Chadwill I be in dreadH6342

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 27:1

  • Hebrews 13:6

    So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  • Psalms 118:6

    The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

  • Exodus 15:2

    The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  • Psalms 84:11

    For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • John 8:12

    Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • Romans 8:31

    What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

  • Micah 7:7-8

    Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.

  • Isaiah 60:19-20

    The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

  • Isaiah 12:2

    Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

  • Psalms 18:28

    For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

  • Isaiah 61:10

    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 David sustains his faith by prayer.

light.
18:28; 84:11; Job 29:3; Isa 2:5; 60:1-3,19,20; Mic 7:7,8; Mal 4:2
Joh 1:1-5,9; 8:12; Re 21:23; 22:5
salvation.
3:8; 18:2; 62:2,6; 68:19,20; 118:14,15,21; Ex 15:2; Isa 12:2; 51:6-8
Isa 61:10; Lu 2:30; 3:6; Re 7:10
strength.
18:1,2,46; 19:14; 28:7,8; 43:2; Isa 45:24; 2Co 12:9; Php 4:13
of whom.
11:1; 46:1,2; 56:2-4; 118:6; Mt 8:26; Ro 8:31; Heb 13:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 27:1

    A Psalm of David. 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?

  • Psalms 27:2

    When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Read all of Psalms 27

Psalms 27:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Salmo de David. JEHOVÁ es mi luz y mi salvación: ¿de quién temeré? Jehová es la fortaleza de mi vida: ¿de quién he de atemorizarme?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		De David. L’ Éternel est ma lumière et mon salut: de qui aurai-je peur? L’ Éternel est la force de ma vie: de qui aurai-je frayeur?
German
Elberfelder 1871		Jehova ist mein Licht und mein Heil, vor wem sollte ich mich fürchten? Jehova ist meines Lebens Stärke, vor wem sollte ich erschrecken?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Psalmus ipsi David. Ad te, Domine, clamabo; Deus meus, ne sileas a me: nequando taceas a me, et assimilabor descendentibus in lacum.