1 O LORD, you are my light
and my salvation near;
then who will cause me fright
or fill my heart with fear?
While God my strength, my life sustains,
secure from fear my soul remains.

2 My one request has been
and still this prayer I raise:
that I may live within
God's house for all my days,
God's glorious beauty to admire,
and in his temple to inquire.

3 When troubles round me swell,
when fears and dangers throng,
securely I will dwell
in his pavilion strong.
Within the shelter of his tent
he hides me till the storm is spent.

4 Uplifted on a rock
above my foes around,
amid the battle shock
my song shall still resound.
Then joyful offerings I will bring;
the LORD God's praise my heart shall sing.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 27:1
st. 2 = Ps. 27:4
st. 3 = Ps. 27:5
st. 4 = Ps. 27:5b-6

This setting of Psalm 27:1-6 expresses great confidence in God's protection of his people, a confidence that leads the psalmist to bring “Joyful offerings” (st. 4) to the LORD. The first stanza (originally “Jehovah is my light”) was first published in The Book of Psalms (1871), a text-only psalter that was later published with music in 1887. Stanzas 2-4 (altered) are from the 1912 Psalter, which in turn had altered the 1871 text. For further commentary on this psalm see PHH 27.

Liturgical Use:
Beginning of worship; during the dedication of offerings. See also PHH 27.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook