Bible Strands
Psalms 27:1
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?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks in a moment of threatened fear, declaring that Yahweh is his light, salvation, and stronghold. The verse does not name an audience.
The words — אוֹר ('or) is “light,” and מָעוֹז (ma'oz) is “refuge” or “stronghold,” naming Yahweh as both illumination and protection.
The thread — It runs with Psalms 118:6 and Hebrews 13:6, where the speaker refuses fear and asks what man can do. Exodus 15:2 likewise calls Yahweh “my strength and my song” and “my salvation.”
Why it lands — It asks the reader to test the source of fear against the text’s claim that Yahweh is light, salvation, and stronghold. The fear question, “whom shall I fear?” is answered by naming Yahweh first.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
- Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
- John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Micah 7:7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
- Isaiah 60:19 No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.
- Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”