The Paradoxical Ways of God

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The LORD is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything? ² When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up it’s they, my foes and my enemies, who stumble and fall! ³ If an army camps against me, my heart won’t be afraid. If war comes up against me, I will continue to trust in this: ⁴ I have asked one thing from the LORD it’s all I seek: to live in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, seeing the LORD’s beauty and constantly adoring his temple. ⁵ Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling during troubling times; he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent; he will set me up high, safe on a rock. ⁶ Now my head is higher than the enemies surrounding me, and I will offer sacrifices in God’s tent sacrifices with shouts of joy! I will sing and praise the LORD. ⁷ LORD, listen to my voice when I cry out have mercy on me and answer me! ⁸ Come, my heart says, seek God’s face. LORD, I do seek your face! ⁹ Please don’t hide it from me! Don’t push your servant aside angrily you have been my help! God who saves me, don’t neglect me! Don’t leave me all alone! ¹⁰ Even if my father and mother left me all alone, the LORD would take me in. ¹¹ LORD, teach me your way; because of my opponents, lead me on a good path. ¹² Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies, because false witnesses and violent accusers have taken their stand against me. ¹³ But I have sure faith that I will experience the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living! ¹⁴ Hope in the LORD! Be strong! Let your heart take courage! Hope in the LORD!