Psalm 27:3
New International Version
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

New Living Translation
Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.

English Standard Version
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

Berean Standard Bible
Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

King James Bible
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

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

New American Standard Bible
If an army encamps against me, My heart will not fear; If war arises against me, In spite of this I am confident.

NASB 1995
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

NASB 1977
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

Legacy Standard Bible
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In this I trust.

Amplified Bible
Though an army encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, Even in this I am confident.

Christian Standard Bible
Though an army deploys against me, my heart will not be afraid; though a war breaks out against me, I will still be confident.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am confident.

American Standard Version
Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, Even then will I be confident.

Contemporary English Version
Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.

English Revised Version
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, even then will I be confident.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I will still have confidence [in the LORD].

Good News Translation
Even if a whole army surrounds me, I will not be afraid; even if enemies attack me, I will still trust God.

International Standard Version
If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation.

Majority Standard Bible
Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

NET Bible
Even when an army is deployed against me, I do not fear. Even when war is imminent, I remain confident.

New Heart English Bible
Though an army is deployed against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.

Webster's Bible Translation
Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

World English Bible
Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Though a host encamps against me, "" My heart does not fear, "" Though war rises up against me, "" In this I [am] confident.

Young's Literal Translation
Though a host doth encamp against me, My heart doth not fear, Though war riseth up against me, In this I am confident.

Smith's Literal Translation
If a camp shall encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: if war shall rise up against me, in this I trust.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If entrenched armies were to stand together against me, my heart would not fear. If a battle were to rise up against me, I would have hope in this.

New American Bible
Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; Though war be waged against me, even then do I trust.

New Revised Standard Version
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If an army encamps against me, my heart is not afraid; if war shall rise against me, in this I am confident.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise up against me, Even then will I be confident.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Though an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be afraid: though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD is My Salvation
2When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. 3Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust. 4One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.…

Cross References
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.


Treasury of Scripture

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

host

Psalm 3:6
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Psalm 52:6
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

2 Kings 6:15-17
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? …

war

1 Samuel 28:15,16
And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do…

Isaiah 41:11,12
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish…

Isaiah 54:16,17
Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy…

in

2 Corinthians 5:6-8
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: …

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Psalm 27
1. David sustains his faith by prayer














Though an army encamps around me
This phrase evokes a vivid image of being surrounded by a formidable force, suggesting a situation of extreme danger and intimidation. The Hebrew word for "army" is "מַחֲנֶה" (machaneh), which can refer to a military camp or a group of people organized for a specific purpose. Historically, armies in ancient Israel were often composed of neighboring nations or tribes that posed a threat to the Israelites. The imagery here is not just of physical armies but can also symbolize overwhelming challenges or spiritual battles that believers face. The encampment suggests a siege, a situation where escape seems impossible, yet it sets the stage for demonstrating faith and reliance on God.

my heart will not fear
The heart, in Hebrew "לֵב" (lev), is often seen as the center of emotions, will, and intellect. In the biblical context, the heart is where courage and faith reside. The psalmist declares a profound trust in God that transcends natural fear. This is a powerful statement of faith, indicating that despite external circumstances, the inner peace and confidence provided by God remain unshaken. Historically, this reflects the experiences of many biblical figures who faced daunting challenges yet remained steadfast in their faith.

though a war breaks out against me
The phrase "war breaks out" uses the Hebrew "תָּקוּם" (takum), meaning to rise or stand up. This suggests an active and aggressive confrontation. Wars in the biblical era were not only physical but also spiritual, representing the constant battle between good and evil. The psalmist acknowledges the reality of conflict, both external and internal, that believers must face. This acknowledgment does not diminish faith but rather highlights the need for divine intervention and strength.

even then will I be confident
Confidence here is derived from the Hebrew "אֶבְטַח" (evtach), meaning to trust or be secure. This confidence is not self-derived but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and protection. The psalmist's declaration is a testament to unwavering faith, suggesting that true security comes from reliance on God rather than human strength or circumstances. This confidence is a recurring theme in Scripture, where trust in God leads to peace and assurance, regardless of the situation. Historically, this reflects the experiences of the Israelites, who often found themselves outnumbered and outmatched yet victorious through their faith in God.

(3) Though an host.--Literally, Though a camp should encamp.

In this.--Either in this circumstance or in spite of this. (Comp. Psalm 78:32.) The LXX. ?? ?????, followed by ???? in the next clause, seems to refer it to the hope about to be expressed. The Rabbinical commentators (e.g., Aben Ezra and Rashi) refer back to the beginning of the psalm. "In this"--viz., that Jehovah is my light--"do I trust." Rosenmiiller refers it to "the battle" just mentioned, in ipsa pugna.

Verse 3. - Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. In the first burst of joy at his recent victory, the 'host" which remains unconquered seems of light account - let them advance - let them "encamp against him" - his heart will not be afraid; but when the joy has had full vent, there is a reaction; the enemies then appear more formidable, and God's aid is besought against them (see vers. 9-12). Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. "In this" may be either "in the fact that the Lord is my Light and my Salvation" (ver. 1), or "in case of such an event as war and attack on the part of the enemy."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Though
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

an army
מַחֲנֶה֮ (ma·ḥă·neh)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

encamps
תַּחֲנֶ֬ה (ta·ḥă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

around me,
עָלַ֨י ׀ (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my heart
לִ֫בִּ֥י (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

{will} not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

fear;
יִירָ֪א (yî·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

though
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

a war
מִלְחָמָ֑ה (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

breaks out
תָּק֣וּם (tā·qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

against me,
עָ֭לַי (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will keep my trust.
בוֹטֵֽחַ׃ (ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure


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OT Poetry: Psalm 27:3 Though an army should encamp against me (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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