Psalms 27:1
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?
Study Note
Study Note
The double rhetorical question — 'whom shall I fear?' and 'of whom shall I be afraid?' — grounds fearlessness not in personal bravery but in the character of God as light and salvation. Light in the ancient world was a near-universal symbol of divine presence and protection, making God-as-light a bold theological claim. The psalm (composed of two distinct moods: confidence in verses 1-6 and lament in verses 7-14) models how trust and honest distress coexist in authentic faith. The verse is often used in Jewish liturgy during the High Holy Days (Elul through Hoshana Rabbah), linking it to themes of divine judgment and mercy.
Other Translations
Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
By David. Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> my light and my salvation, Whom do I fear? Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> the strength of my life, Of whom am I afraid?
The Lord is my light and my salvation; who is then a cause of fear to me? the Lord is the strength of my life; who is a danger to me?
Cross References
O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and …
Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all …
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like …
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my …
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: …
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting …
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me …