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Illustration for Psalm 27: The LORD Is My Light

Psalm 27

The LORD Is My Light

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David says God is his light — like a bright lamp in a dark room that takes away all fear. Even if an entire army came against him, he wouldn't be afraid because God is with him. His greatest wish was just to live close to God forever.

  1. 1The 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?
  2. 2When the wicked advance against me to devour my flesh, my enemies and my foes will stumble and fall.
  3. 3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
  4. 4One thing I ask of the LORD, this alone I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
  5. 5For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
  6. 6Then my head will be exalted above my enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
  7. 7Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
  8. 8My heart says of You, "Seek His face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
  9. 9Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
  10. 10Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
  11. 11Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
  12. 12Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
  13. 13I believe that I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
  14. 14Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

What it means

Because God is our light in darkness and our salvation from danger, we don't need to be afraid of anything. Even when we face hard times, we can be strong and courageous — waiting confidently for God to act.

A little prayer

Lord, You are my light and my rescue. When I am afraid, remind me that You are stronger than anything I face. Help me to be brave and to keep seeking Your face. Amen.

Memory verse

“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 (BSB)

It answers fear with a question rather than an argument, and the question has no good answer.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. David calls God his light. What changes in a room when somebody turns a lamp on — the room, or what you can see?
  2. He says one thing he asks for above everything else: to be near God. What is your one thing?
  3. The psalm ends by telling you to wait and be strong. Which of those is harder?
  4. What frightens you less in daylight than it does in the dark?

Try this

Lamp off, lamp on

Sit in a dark room for a minute and name what you can see. Turn on one small lamp and name it again. Nothing in the room changed. Read verse 1 with the lamp on.

You will need: A dark room and a small lamp or torch.

From the blog

Brave Like David →

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)