Psalm 27:8
New International Version
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.

New Living Translation
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

English Standard Version
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”

Berean Standard Bible
My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

King James Bible
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

New King James Version
When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

New American Standard Bible
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “I shall seek Your face, LORD.”

NASB 1995
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.”

NASB 1977
When Thou didst say, “Seek My face,” my heart said to Thee, “Thy face, O LORD, I shall seek.”

Legacy Standard Bible
On Your behalf my heart says, “Seek My face,” “Your face, O Yahweh, I shall seek.”

Amplified Bible
When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Christian Standard Bible
My heart says this about you: “Seek his face.” LORD, I will seek your face.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My heart says this about You,” You are to seek My face.” LORD, I will seek Your face.

American Standard Version
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Jehovah, will I seek.

Contemporary English Version
My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face,

English Revised Version
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[When you said,] "Seek my face," my heart said to you, "O LORD, I will seek your face."

Good News Translation
When you said, "Come worship me," I answered, "I will come, LORD."

International Standard Version
My mind recalls your word, "Seek my face," so your face, LORD, I will seek.

Majority Standard Bible
My heart said, ?Seek His face.? Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

NET Bible
My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O LORD.

New Heart English Bible
Psa 27:8 My heart said to you, "I have sought your face." Your face, LORD, I will seek.

Webster's Bible Translation
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said to thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

World English Bible
When you said, “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “I will seek your face, Yahweh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
My heart said to You, “They sought my face, "" Your face, O YHWH, I seek.”

Young's Literal Translation
To Thee said my heart 'They sought my face, Thy face, O Jehovah, I seek.'

Smith's Literal Translation
My heart said to thee, Seek ye my face; thy face, O Jehovah, I will seek.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.

Catholic Public Domain Version
My heart has spoken to you; my face has sought you. I yearn for your face, O Lord.

New American Bible
“Come,” says my heart, “seek his face”; your face, LORD, do I seek!

New Revised Standard Version
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My heart said to you: "My face seeks your face; be my helper LORD JEHOVAH!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In Thy behalf my heart hath said: 'Seek ye My face'; Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
My heart said to thee, I have diligently sought thy face: thy face, O Lord, I will seek.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD is My Salvation
7Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me. 8My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek. 9Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalm 105:4
Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Amos 5:4
For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live!

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

Isaiah 45:19
I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.

Hosea 5:15
Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”


Treasury of Scripture

When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.

When.

Psalm 24:6
This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

Psalm 105:4
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

Isaiah 45:19
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Thy

Psalm 63:1,2
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; …

Psalm 119:58
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Jeremiah 29:12,13
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you…

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Psalm 27
1. David sustains his faith by prayer














My heart said
The phrase "My heart said" indicates an intimate and personal communication within the psalmist. In Hebrew, the word for heart, "לֵב" (lev), often represents the inner self, including emotions, will, and intellect. This suggests that the psalmist's response to God is not merely intellectual but deeply emotional and volitional. The heart, in biblical terms, is the seat of decision-making and moral reflection. This phrase underscores the sincerity and depth of the psalmist's relationship with God, emphasizing that true faith engages the whole being.

You have said
This phrase reflects a divine initiative. The psalmist acknowledges that it is God who first speaks, inviting a response. The Hebrew verb "אָמַר" (amar) is used here, which means to say or declare. This highlights the authoritative and commanding nature of God's word. In the biblical narrative, God's speech is powerful and creative, as seen in Genesis where God speaks the world into existence. Here, it signifies God's active role in seeking a relationship with His people, prompting them to respond.

Seek My face
The command "Seek My face" is a call to pursue an intimate relationship with God. The Hebrew word for seek, "בַּקֵּשׁ" (baqash), implies a diligent and earnest search. The "face" of God, "פָּנִים" (panim), symbolizes His presence and favor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, seeking the face of a king was a metaphor for seeking an audience or favor. Thus, this phrase invites believers to earnestly desire and pursue God's presence, suggesting that true fulfillment and peace are found in communion with Him.

Your face, O LORD
This phrase reiterates the focus on God's presence. The use of "O LORD" (YHWH) is significant, as it is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and relational nature. The psalmist's repetition of seeking God's face underscores the importance of this pursuit. It reflects a deep yearning for God's guidance, approval, and fellowship, which is central to the life of faith. The invocation of God's covenant name also reassures believers of His steadfast love and commitment to His people.

I will seek
The declaration "I will seek" is a personal commitment to pursue God. The Hebrew verb "אֲבַקֵּשׁ" (abakesh) is in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing action. This suggests that seeking God is not a one-time event but a continuous, lifelong endeavor. It reflects a resolve to prioritize God's presence above all else, demonstrating the psalmist's dedication and trust. This commitment serves as an example for believers to persistently and passionately seek a deeper relationship with God, regardless of life's circumstances.

(8) When thou saidst.--The margin rightly rejects these words, and restores the order of the Hebrew; but the text of the Authorised Version really gives its meaning.

The thought seems borrowed from seeking admission to a royal personage to ask a favour.

Verse 8. - When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. The order of the words in the original is as follows: "To thee said my heart - Seek ye my face - thy face, Lord, will I seek." And the full meaning seems to he, "To thee said my heart - Hast thou said unto men, Seek ye my face? I for one will obey thee - Thy face, Lord, will I seek." The command, "Seek ye my face," had been given by David to the people on the day that he set up the ark upon Mount Zion (1 Chronicles 16:11). It was probably regarded as implied in Deuteronomy 4:29.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

said,
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Seek
בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ (baq·qə·šū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

His face.”
פָנָ֑י (p̄ā·nāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

Your face,
פָּנֶ֖יךָ (pā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

O LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

I will seek.
אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃ (’ă·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after


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OT Poetry: Psalm 27:8 When you said Seek my face my (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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