Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

Psalm 27:1, 4, 7, 8b, 9a, 13–14

A Catholic funeral reading (responsorial psalm), also in the 1928 Prayer Book burial service, with the full text in the King James Version and the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 1 minute7 versesCatholic: Responsorial Psalm

Add to my planLarge print for the reader

King James Version

  1. 1The 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?
  2. 4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
  3. 7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
  4. 8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
  5. 9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
  6. 13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
  7. 14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Douay-Rheims

Psalm 26 in the Douay-Rheims numbering.

  1. 1The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
  2. 4One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.
  3. 7Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me and hear me.
  4. 8My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
  5. 9Turn not away thy face from me; decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.
  6. 13I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
  7. 14Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read Psalm 27 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

  • Catholic: Responsorial Psalm (Lectionary for Mass, no. 1013)
  • Episcopal: a psalm in the 1928 Prayer Book burial office

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the Lectionary for Mass.