Psalm 27

[5][6][7] Protestant Christians have traditionally thought of it as written early in David's life, during his flight from King Saul,[8] with Charles Spurgeon suggesting specifically the incident with Doeg the Edomite (1 Samuel 21–22).

A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture[20] says the first poem of which Psalm 27 is composed is an expression of confidence that God will bring help and of devotion to the Temple, and the second is a cry for help.

[21] Pope John Paul II also spoke of the first part of the psalm as "marked by a deep tranquillity, based on trust in God on the dark day of the evildoers' assault".

[25] In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm, entitled Dominus illuminatio, is appointed to be read on the evening of the fifth day of the month.

[26] Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a metric paraphrase of Psalm 27 in German, "Mein Licht und Heil ist Gott der Herr", SWV 124, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.

Frances Allitsen composed a musical setting based on Psalm 27 for voice and piano called "The Lord is My Light," published in 1897.

Coat of arms at Oxford University showing first verse of Psalm 27
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry , Folio 92v - Psalm XXVI the Musée Condé, Chantilly. Psalm 27 in the Hebrew Bible (and most modern translations).