Remembering Psalm 27 on 9/11

Photo of 9-11 Memorial of Public Park in New Providence, NJ

On September 11, 2015, many Americans reflect on the world-altering events occurring fourteen years ago. Many people still recall where they were and remember the circumstances surrounding their hearing about the terrorist attacks. Without question, the events of 9/11 have been seared into the memory of the general population of the nation like no other occurrence. I recall muddling through that protracted day in a haze of disbelief. Later that evening I remember attending a prayer service at my church. During an intense time of praying, I recall reciting Psalm 27 which I had learned by heart as a teenager. Today that particular psalm continues to comfort and encourage us in times that disturb and distress the nation and the world:

Psalm 27

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?

² When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.

³ Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.

⁵ For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

⁷ Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

⁸ When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

⁹ Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.

¹⁰ When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

¹¹ Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

¹² Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.

¹³ I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

¹⁴ Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Here is an arrangement of Psalm 27:1-4 Christian Praise Lyrics offered by Esther Mui.

Tags: 9/11, Psalm 27, Psalm 27:1-4