Psalm 27:1 kjv
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?
Psalm 27:1 nkjv
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?
Psalm 27:1 niv
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation? whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life? of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 esv
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 nlt
The LORD is my light and my salvation ?
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
Psalm 27 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 36:9 | For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. | God is the ultimate source of spiritual light and truth. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. | God's revelation guides and illuminates the believer's walk. |
| Isa 60:19 | The sun will no more be your light by day...but the Lord will be your everlasting light. | God Himself provides eternal, surpassing light. |
| Jn 1:4 | In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. | Christ embodies life and light for all humanity. |
| Jn 8:12 | Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness." | Christ offers spiritual guidance and frees from darkness. |
| Rev 21:23 | The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light. | God's own glory lights the New Jerusalem, a future fulfillment. |
| Mic 7:8 | Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. | Hope in God's presence even in dire circumstances. |
| Isa 12:2 | Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. | Directly links God as salvation to the absence of fear. |
| Ps 62:1 | My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. | Salvation and rest originate solely from God. |
| Lk 2:30 | For my eyes have seen your salvation... | Simeon's prophetic recognition of Christ as salvation. |
| Acts 4:12 | Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven...by which we must be saved. | Emphasizes Christ as the unique means of salvation. |
| Titus 2:13 | ...we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. | Jesus Christ is both God and Savior. |
| Ps 18:2 | The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. | God described as multiple forms of strong protection. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | God provides immediate, accessible assistance. |
| Prov 18:10 | The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | The character of God provides a secure haven. |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. | God offers enduring and sustaining protection. |
| Heb 6:18 | ...we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. | God provides ultimate security through His promises. |
| Isa 41:10 | So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. | God's divine presence removes all reason for fear. |
| Ps 118:6 | The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? | Confidence despite potential human threats. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's alignment with believers nullifies opposition. |
| Php 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation...present your requests to God. | God's peace guards against anxiety. |
| Mt 10:28 | Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. | Calls for a greater fear of God than of human adversaries. |
| Ps 23:4 | Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. | God's abiding presence conquers fear even in grave peril. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. | Highlights the blessedness of putting confidence in God. |
Psalm 27 verses
Psalm 27 1 Meaning
Psalm 27:1 is a profound declaration of unwavering faith and courageous confidence in God, regardless of surrounding dangers. It asserts that God Himself is the exclusive source of all enlightenment, guidance, deliverance, and ultimate protection for one's entire being. This recognition leads to a complete removal of fear and anxiety in the face of any threat.
Psalm 27 1 Context
Psalm 27, often attributed to King David, reflects a profound journey of faith during a time of significant distress. The opening verse establishes an unshakeable confidence in God, presenting Him as the source of guidance and safety. However, the psalm then transitions into earnest supplication (v. 7-12), revealing the very real struggle and threat David faced—enemies, false witnesses, and betrayal—before concluding with renewed hopeful expectation and a call to wait for the Lord (v. 13-14). This verse thus functions as the confident, foundational declaration from which the subsequent pleas and endurance arise. Historically, David lived in a world where strength was found in armies, fortifications, and human wisdom. His declaration that the Lord (YHWH) alone is his "light" and "stronghold" would have stood in direct counterpoint to pagan reliance on idols, ancestral spirits, or personal power, asserting the exclusive sufficiency and unique protective power of the one true God in whom David trusted for literal deliverance from war and conspiracy.
Psalm 27 1 Word analysis
The Lord (YHweh - יְהוָה): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, the personal and unchanging Name by which He revealed Himself to His people. This emphasizes a deeply relational and trustworthy God, establishing the foundation of David's faith.
is my light (אוֹר - 'or): "Light" signifies knowledge, revelation, guidance, truth, and spiritual illumination, dispelling darkness, ignorance, and despair. It refers to God's presence as the source of clarity and insight, leading one through confusion or moral dilemmas. It contrasts with chaos and evil, indicating divine favor and life.
and my salvation (יְשׁוּעָה - yeshu'ah): "Salvation" here is a comprehensive term meaning deliverance, rescue, victory, well-being, safety, and prosperity. It speaks to God's act of setting one free from danger, oppression, and even death, ensuring wholeness. The phrase implies God Himself is the means and embodiment of this saving work, not merely a provider of help.
whom shall I fear? (מִי־אִיךָ֣ אֶלַּל - mi-mi eyra'): A powerful rhetorical question signifying absolute courage and the absence of any dread or terror. The implied answer, "No one," conveys a defiance rooted in supreme trust. It illustrates that when God is seen as truly sovereign and capable, all other fears become inconsequential.
The Lord (YHWH - יְהוָה): Repeated for emphatic reaffirmation. This reiteration underscores that God, and only God, is the consistent and reliable source of his protection.
is the stronghold of my life (מָעוֹז חַיַּי - ma'oz chayyai): "Stronghold" ('ma'oz') denotes an unassailable fortress, a place of ultimate refuge, defense, and secure power. It implies impenetrability and absolute safety. "Of my life" ('chayyai') indicates that this protection encompasses his very existence—physically, spiritually, emotionally, protecting his very being from attack or collapse.
of whom shall I be afraid? (מִי־אֲפַחֵ֑ד - miy-efaḥed): This second rhetorical question intensifies the previous one. While "eyra'" relates to general fear, "efaḥed" suggests trembling or being startled by sudden terror. Its repetition confirms an utterly unshaken resolve, emphasizing that no form of internal or external intimidation can dislodge his security when God is his ultimate refuge.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The Lord is my light and my salvation": This powerful opening statement establishes God as the complete provider for the psalmist's spiritual and physical well-being. "Light" speaks to revelation and guidance; "salvation" speaks to rescue and deliverance. Together, they proclaim God's active involvement in every aspect of his existence. The possessive "my" emphasizes a deep, personal relationship and experience.
- "whom shall I fear?": This immediate rhetorical question flows directly from the preceding declaration. It showcases the logical outcome of true faith: if God is sovereignly sufficient in all things, then no earthly power or circumstance warrants fear. It expresses courageous resolve in the face of perceived dangers.
- "The Lord is the stronghold of my life": This second, parallel declaration reinforces and expands upon the initial statement. While "light" and "salvation" highlight active intervention, "stronghold" describes God as a continuous, impenetrable defense system, an abiding place of absolute security for the entirety of the psalmist's being, confirming an ongoing protection from all threats.
- "of whom shall I be afraid?": This question parallels and amplifies the first. It drives home the absolute lack of any terrifying dread, confirming an unshakeable peace and confidence that persists despite adversaries. The rhetorical nature invites the listener to likewise embrace a fearless trust in God's protective presence.
Psalm 27 1 Bonus section
The verse beautifully employs poetic parallelism, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, using synonymous phrases ("my light and my salvation" // "the stronghold of my life" and "whom shall I fear?" // "of whom shall I be afraid?") to amplify its central message of unwavering trust. This literary device does not merely repeat but adds depth and intensity, portraying God's protection as comprehensive—from illuminating guiding truth to delivering physical safety to securing one's very existence. The initial focus on active guidance ("light") and deliverance ("salvation") is followed by the metaphor of enduring, unshakeable security ("stronghold of my life"), illustrating a progressive understanding of God's all-encompassing care. The psalmist's confidence stems not from the absence of threats, but from the greater reality of God's active presence and protective power over him.
Psalm 27 1 Commentary
Psalm 27:1 serves as a profound anthem of faith, anchoring the believer's courage in the immutable character and actions of God. The psalmist articulates not just that God provides help, but that God is his very essence of help. Declaring God as "my light" means that in times of confusion, darkness, or moral quandary, God Himself illumines the path, guiding the believer with divine wisdom and revealing truth. As "my salvation," God is the active and comprehensive deliverer, bringing rescue from any physical threat, emotional distress, or spiritual bondage. The resounding rhetorical questions, "Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?", are born not of a denial of danger, but from an internal reality where the awesomeness of God outweighs all other fears. This divine security is intensified by calling God "the stronghold of my life," an image of an unassailable fortress that perpetually safeguards one's entire being. This verse profoundly invites believers to cultivate a mindset where absolute dependence on God leads to fearless living, transcending anxious earthly concerns.Practical Usage: When confronted by daunting challenges, verbalizing this verse aloud can center the heart on God's omnipotence. In moments of personal vulnerability or anxiety about the future, meditating on God as your "stronghold" brings stability. Facing moral choices, embracing God as "my light" clarifies the righteous path.