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Psalm 27:3
Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.
1By David. 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?
2When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.
4One thing I have asked of the LORD, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, to see the LORD’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.
5For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.
Notice
An army encamped against one person makes David’s confidence striking: his words leave the threat in view while declaring that fear will not rule his heart.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What difference does the phrase “even then” make to David’s declaration of confidence?
Write on thisWhere would you want this confidence, even if the threat itself remained?
Write on thisHow does David’s description of YHWH in verse 1 support his words about war?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
2 Kings 6:16He answered, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”Both passages speak against fear in the face of opponents, grounding courage beyond the strength of the threatened person.
Psalm 3:6I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side.Both psalms declare freedom from fear even when a vast number of enemies stand against the speaker.
1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”Both passages address fear while allowing that danger may come; Peter names suffering for righteousness as that danger.
Romans 8:35–37Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?War in the psalm and the sword in Romans name violent danger within declarations of trust in God’s help and Christ’s love.
Psalm 46:2Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;Both psalms use “though” to name overwhelming threats while declaring that those threats will not determine their fear.
Philippians 1:28and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.Both passages join courage before adversaries with confidence in salvation that comes from God.
2 Corinthians 5:6–8Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;Both speakers declare confidence, though David describes threatened warfare and Paul describes life in the body, absent from the Lord.
Isaiah 54:16–17“Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy.Both passages name realities of warfare: David pictures an encamped army, while Isaiah names the weapon-maker and destroyer.
Isaiah 41:11–12Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish.Both passages concern hostile opponents; David declares confidence before them, while Isaiah announces their defeat.
Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will …Both passages speak against fear without removing danger from view; Revelation names imprisonment and possible death.
2 Kings 6:15–17When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, “Alas, …An encircling army appears in both passages, with David declaring confidence and the servant expressing alarm.
1 Samuel 28:15–16Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has …War threatens both David and Saul, but David declares confidence while Saul describes distress and God’s silence.
Where this verse fits
Fear for the future. anxiety or panic. injustice and anger.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
David speaks of confidence while imagining war rising against him. His trust has a source beyond his own courage: YHWH is the strength of his life.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).