My Light, My Stronghold

Of David.

David is under real threat — armies, false witnesses, even the fear that his own parents might abandon him. His answer is not that the danger is small, but that his Father is nearer than it. He asks for one thing: to live in his Father's presence.

Chapter 27.

My Father is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? My Father is the stronghold of my life—of whom should I be afraid?

When evildoers close in on me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and my foes—they are the ones who stumble and fall. Though an army should camp against me, my heart will not fear; though war should rise up against me, even then I will be confident.

One thing I have asked of my Father, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in his house all the days of my life, to gaze on his beauty and to seek him in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter when trouble comes; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high upon a rock. And now my head will be lifted high above my enemies surrounding me, and I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to my Father.

Hear my voice, my Father, when I cry out; be gracious to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his face." Your face, my Father, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger—you have been my help. Do not abandon me or forsake me, my Father, my salvation. Though my father and my mother forsake me, my Father will take me in. ^a

Teach me your way, my Father, and lead me on a level path because of those who lie in wait for me. Do not hand me over to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, breathing out violence.

I am certain of this: I will see the goodness of my Father in the land of the living. Wait for our Father; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for our Father.