Song (Psalm) 27

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

27:1 A prayer of praise

Triumphant Song of Confidence; A Prayer of Praise

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

27 Yahweh is my light and ≈the one who saves me—≈why should I be afraid of anyone?

≈Yahweh is ≈where my life is safe—≈why should I be worrying?

2 When evil ≈people approached me to ≈wear me down,

≈those adversaries and enemies stumbled and fell.

3 ≈Even when I’m surrounded by an enemy army, ≈I won’t be scared.

≈Although war ≈breaks out against me, even then I’ll remain confident.

4 There’s one thing that I’ve Yahweh and that I’ll ≈aim for:

that I’ll ≈be able to stay in the house of Yahweh ≈as long as I live.

to see Yahweh’s beauty and to meditate in his temple.

5 He’ll hide me in his shelter ≈when trouble comes—

≈He’ll conceal me under the cover of his tent .

≈He’ll lift me high to a safe place up on a rock.

6 Then ≈I’ll be helped to achieve victory over my enemies all around me,

and I will offer celebratory sacrifices in his tent.

≈I’ll make music and sing to Yahweh.

7 Yahweh, ≈listen to me when I call out for help.

Have mercy on me, and answer me.

8 My ≈gut feelings tell me ≈that I should follow you,

so I’ll ≈strive to relate to you, Yahweh.

9 Don’t ≈stay away from me.

Don’t turn your servant away in anger.

You’ve been my helper.

Don’t leave or abandon me, God ≈who saves me.

10 Even if my ≈parents were to abandon me,

Yahweh would ≈take me in.

11 Teach me your way, Yahweh.

Lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12 Don’t ≈let my enemies do what they want to me,

because ≈fraudulent cases have been brought against me,

and @those people ≈thrive on violence.

13 ?What would’ve happened to me

if I hadn’t believed that I would see Yahweh’s goodness in the land of the living?

14 ≈Keep expecting Yahweh to act.

Be strong and courageous. Wait for Yahweh.

↑ 27  Of_Dāvid\f + \fr 27:1 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

27.

1\f* YHWH light_of_my and_salvation_of_my of_whom will_I_be_afraid YHWH is_the_refuge_of life_of_my of_whom will_I_be_in_dread.

2 In/on/at/with_came against_me evil-doers to_devour DOM flesh_of_my adversaries_of_my and_enemies_of_my to_me they they_stumbled and_fell.

3 Though it_will_encamp against_me a_camp not it_will_fear heart_of_my though it_will_arise against_me warfare in/on/at/with_this I will_be_trusting.

4 one_thing I_have_asked from_with YHWH DOM_it I_will_seek dwell_I in_house_of YHWH all_of the_days_of life_of_my to_see in/on/at/with_beauty_of YHWH and_to_inquire in/on/at/with_temple_of_his.

5 If/because hide_me in/on/at/with_shelter_of_his in/on_day trouble hide_me in/on/at/with_cover_of tent_of_his in/on/at/with_rock set_high_me.

6 And_now my_head it_will_rise above enemies_of_my around_of_me and_offer in/on/at/with_tent_of_his sacrifices_of a_shout_of_joy I_will_sing and_make_music to/for_YHWH.

7 Hear Oh_YHWH my_sound/voice I_call_out and_gracious_me and_answer_me.

8 To/for_yourself(m) heart_of_my it_has_said seek face_of_my DOM face_of_your Oh_YHWH I_will_seek.

9 Do_not hide face_of_your from_me do_not turn_aside in/on/at/with_anger servant_of_your help_of_my you_have_been do_not abandon_me and_not abandon_me Oh_god_of salvation_of_my.

10 If/because father_of_my and_mother_of_my abandon_me and_YHWH receive_me.

11 Teach_me Oh_YHWH way_of_your and_lead_me in/on/at/with_path_of level_ground on_account_of enemies_of_my.

12 Do_not give_over_me in/on/at/with_desire_of adversaries_of_my if/because they_have_arisen in/on/at/with_me witnesses_of falsehood and_breathing_out_of violence.

13 If_not\f + \fr 27:13 \ft OSHB note: Puncta extraordinaria a ◌ׄ is used to mark such marks in the text when they are above the line and a ◌ׅ when they are below the line.

\f* I_had_believed to_see in/on/at/with_goodness_of YHWH in_land living_people.

14 Wait to YHWH be_strong and_take_courage heart_of_your and_wait to YHWH.