Psalms in Worship—Psalm 27 for Difficult Times

Published January 20, 2026

Updated January 20, 2026

trees by streams of water
By Joyce Borger

I can’t read Psalm 27 without Lillian Bouknight’s versification playing in my mind. In the hymnal, Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, (Faith Alive, 2013), of which I served as editor, it appears in the “Difficult Times” section of the hymnal (LUYH #431). Some have thought it a strange place even though the song talks about trouble. “Isn't it a bit too upbeat?”,  they query. I respond  that not only does Bouknight’s arrangement, when played correctly, capture the tenor of the psalm, its placement in the hymnal and in our lived hymnody is spot on. Sometimes you need to look difficult times in the face with defiance, speaking truth to evil, resisting through your proclamations of faith. Sometimes you need to boldly declare what you believe in order to claim it for yourself, standing firm amidst the chaotic storm swirling around you. 

When led correctly, Bouknight’s arrangement of Psalm 27, “The Lord is My Light,” has an unobtrusive steady marching pulse; there is a firmness to the melody itself. In Bouknight’s hands, the words of Psalm 27 become bold declarations, bolstering the soul during times of much faith and times of fear, doubt, questions, and grief. If you have a moment, listen to this recording which exemplifies this so well. It was recorded at the 2015 Calvin Symposium of Worship with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s dear departed friend, Dr. Jimmy Abington, at the piano. 

As pastors and worship leaders, one of our tasks is to prepare our people for difficult times and support them through it. One way of doing that is to make sure that they have a sung repertoire to pull from in those moments, whether that moment be a funeral or an act of resistance against the evil powers of this world. I encourage you to make this particular arrangement of Psalm 27 one of those songs that can play as the backdrop for the difficult times that your people do and will face. 

Psalm 27 for Two Voices and Instruments

Here is the full psalm with Bouknight’s versification woven throughout. It will take a bit of rehearsing for the musicians and readers to get the timing and feeling right, but with the Spirit’s leading, the extra effort will amplify the message of the psalm. 

   

Begin playing just the melody 
of Lillian Bouknight’s Psalm 27, 
“The Lord is My Light” softly in 
the background playing under 
the spoken word. 

 

Reader 1

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?
 

 Speak a bit timidly with the 
emphasis on the question.

Reader 2

 There is much to fear. 
Haven’t you been paying attention? 
[List a few fears facing your people, 
thinking of their different ages and stages.]
 		  

Reader 1

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
    to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
    they shall stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
    yet I will be confident.
 

 Begin with the emphasis on the 
statement of faith that begins 
the first two questions then spoken 
with increased confidence  as the 
music accompaniment begins to 
fill out adding chords below the 
melody line.  

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (st. 1, no refrain) Bouknight 

 For now keep the music reserved. 
 

Reader 2

Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded, 
like there is no escaping 
all the scary things in this world. 
In times like these 
I need to hold on to the truth 
that despite every evidence to the contrary, 
good will triumph. 
One day evil will be overthrown, 
and all will be well. 

 

  

Reader 1

One thing I asked of the Lord;
    this I seek:
to live 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.
 

  

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (st. 2, no refrain) Bouknight 
 

  

Reader 1

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will set me high on a rock.
 

  

Reader 2

So, we stand here with courage and confidence, 
knowing that God is with us. God will keep us 
safe; we will experience redemption. 
 

  

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (st. 3, no refrain) Bouknight 
 

  

Reader 1

Now my head is lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
 

  

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (st. 1, with refrain) Bouknight 
 

 Grow into the refrain. 

Reader 2

Yes, this is my testimony, 
but still my heart is heavy, and so, 
as an act of faith, I bring my prayer to God. 
 

  

Reader 1

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, do I seek.
 

  
Reader 2

Your face, Lord, do I seek.
 

  

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (refrain only) Bouknight 
 

 With confidence. 

Reader 2

I seek the Lord; I trust God, 
but still there is so much that 
is wrong in this world! 
 

  

Reader 1

    Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
    you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off; do not forsake me,
    O God of my salvation!

If my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.

Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they are breathing out violence.
 

Prayerful pleading.

 

 

 

With realization.  

 

With desire.

 

Firmly. 
Reader 2

Lord, hear my prayer. 
Hear the words of my lament. 
Hold my faith firm 
even as I face all that is wrong in this world. 
[Add specifics if appropriate.]

Still I believe! 
 

 

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (st. 1 with refrain) Bouknight 
 

 Defiantly and at full volume. 

Reader 1

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!
 

 Spoken with great faith. 

All Sing

“The Lord is My Light” (st. 2 with refrain) Bouknight 

 With firmness and courage. 

Revised Common Lectionary: Lent 2C, Epiphany 3A