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Psalms for Children

Psalm 27

David's praise to the LORD for being his strength in time of trouble

1.  The LORD is my light and my salvation; who shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; who shall I be afraid of?

2. When the wicked (people) who are my enemies came to harm me, they stumbled and fell.

3. Though many enemies will come against me, my heart will not fear: though a war should rise against me, I will be confident of this:

4.  I have desired one thing of the LORD, and this I will seek after; that I may live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to look upon the beauty of the LORD, and to seek for truth in his temple.

5.  For in time of trouble, he shall hide me..he shall set me up upon a rock.

6.  And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies around me.  because of this I will offer in his tabernacle joyful shouts, I will sing, yes, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7.  Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8. When you said, "you seek my face" my heart said to you, "Your face, LORD, will I seek"

9. Do not hide your face far from me; do not put your servant away in anger, you have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10. When my father and my mother forsake me, the the LORD will take me up.

11. Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path because of my enemies.

12. Do not deliver me into the will of my enemies: for people who do not tell the truth rise up against me, and say cruel things.

13. I would have fainted, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

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This wonderful Psalm shows us that David is a true believer..  he refers to "my" light and "my" salvation, so we know that David has a personal relationship with the LORD.  much more than believing in him, David believes on him for his salvation. The LORD is his light, to guide him to His truths, and to give David direction on his journey through his life.

David joyfully tells us that the LORD is the strength of his life..  he trusts the LORD for ongoing daily strength, to protect David from his enemies..  David says "who do I need to be afraid of? even if my enemies come against me, or if there is a war, my heart will not be afraid".  that is a wonderful blessing, to have peace in your heart when danger threatens because you trust in the LORD and you know that whatever happens is according to God's plan for your life.

David tells us that the one thing that he desires of the LORD is not something in this world, it is to look upon upon the beauty of the LORD face to face, and to dwell in the LORD's home.

He asks that the LORD will hear him when he cries out to him, and that the LORD will show him mercy.

David asks that the LORD not leave him, nor forsake him.  He asks that the LORD will protect him, and deliver him from his enemies.

David says that he would have fainted (from fear) if he did not believe that he would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

and then he pleads with us, the readers, to wait on the LORD, be courageous (when we are confronted with time of trouble) and the LORD will strengthen our hearts.. again he tells us to Wait on the LORD..

I am reminded of the words to a hymn "Trust and obey, there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey."

V. Gross/Jan'07