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?
Parallel translations
- WEB By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
- BSB Of 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?
- NKJV 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?
- NASB The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom should I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom should I dread?
- 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?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Yahweh is David's light, salvation, and strength, so he has no one to fear. God's presence banishes all fear.
Overview
This psalm opens with a triumphant confession that the Lord is David's light dispelling darkness, his salvation, and the stronghold of his life. Because God is all this, fear has no place. The imagery anticipates Christ, who is the light of the world and the salvation of his people, in whom believers find fearless confidence.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 40
- Heb 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
- Ps 118:6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
- Exod 15:2The 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 Cor 12:9And 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.
- Ps 84:11For 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.
- Rom 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
- John 8:12Then 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.
- Mic 7:7–8Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
- Isa 60:19–20The 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.
- Isa 12:2Behold, 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.
- Isa 61:10I 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.
- Ps 18:28For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
- Ps 62:6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
- Job 29:3When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
- Ps 118:21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
- John 1:1–5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- Ps 19:14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
- Phil 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
- Rev 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- Ps 18:1–2I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
- Ps 46:1–2God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
- Ps 68:19–20Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
- Isa 60:1–3Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
- Isa 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
- Mal 4:2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
- John 1:9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
- Ps 56:2–4Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
- Ps 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
- Luke 2:30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
- Ps 18:46The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
- Isa 51:6–8Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
- Ps 11:1In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
- Isa 45:24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
- Rev 7:10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
- Ps 28:7–8The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
- Matt 8:26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
- Ps 118:14–15The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
- Rev 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
- Ps 43:2For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
- Ps 3:8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 27:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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