What does 'the Lord is my light and my salvation' (Psalm 27:1) mean?

TL;DR:

Psalm 27:1 presents the Lord as a light—the source of goodness, guidance, and salvation. God guides His children through troubles and assures us of eternal life.

Psalm 27:1 presents the Lord as our metaphorical light and our literal salvation. The metaphor of God as light is found throughout the Bible. Light represents goodness and guidance. The Lord is the source of both in the lives of believers. God’s Word provides wisdom and guidance for our lives (Psalm 119:105). When we put our faith in Jesus, we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us (Ephesians 1:12–14). The Lord is our salvation; all hope is found in Him. David, who wrote Psalm 27, exalts God, who safeguards him from his physical enemies. Those who trust in Jesus know life will still have trials, but we don’t despair because we know Jesus will sustain us through them (John 16:33; Romans 8:18–39; Philippians 4:6–7). And beyond this short life on earth, we have eternal salvation because of Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 3:16–18). The Bible consistently shows that God's light cannot be overcome by the darkness of the world or the even darkness within our own hearts (Psalm 139:7–12). If we are His children through faith in Jesus Christ, we can rest securely in Him (John 1:12; Luke 12:22–34).

from the old testament

In Psalm 27:1, David uses the metaphor of light to emphasize God’s guidance and protection: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” This psalm depicts David’s literal salvation from his enemies. But believers know God’s salvation is not confined to what can do bodily harm to us. He offers us eternal salvation through His Son.
Similarly, Psalm 119:105 praises God for His guidance: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Those steeped in God’s Word cannot be led astray. With God’s Word, the psalmist can confidently assert, “The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts” (Psalm 119:110). Nothing can succeed against the protection God gives His servants through His Word.
The Lord’s omniscience is compared to light in Psalm 139:12: “even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” God is able to provide light for us because He is the light. He is all that is good.
Micah 7:8 depicts God as the light we’re drawn to within a dark world: “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Micah prophesied during a dark time in Israel's history where evil was rampant and, as he said, it seemed the “godly has perished from the earth” (Micah 7:2). But the writer knew God would restore His people. Even during His judgment, God is still a light to those who love and are faithful to Him.

from the new testament

John 1:4–5 affirms the life-giving light of Jesus: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” No evil can win against God. When we follow Him, we are walking in His light and, as the psalmist said, we are saved.
In John 8:12, Jesus uses the metaphor of light to show salvation comes to those who follow Him: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” First John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” When we’re in Christ and have been forgiven of our sins, we can walk in the light of Christ rather than being blinded by the darkness of sin. Through His light, we have salvation.
Romans 8:1 reinforces this message by explaining, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus, the light of the world, has saved us from everlasting darkness. Nothing the world can do to believers can defeat that. As the apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi highlights the assurance believers have in Christ: Paul reassures the church, “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:5–6). Like the psalmist, believers can withstand the tribulations of this world because our “Lord is at hand” and our salvation is guaranteed.

implications for today

Remember being scared of the dark as a child? As adults, the darkness of the world can be even more terrifying. Life has plenty of trials—death of loved ones, financial worries, persecution for beliefs, health scares, and more. Believers aren’t immune from these. In fact, Jesus told us to expect tribulation (John 16:33). But when believers face difficulties, we aren’t hopeless or despairing because we have Jesus, the light of the world. His light cannot be extinguished. We cry out to the Lord, as David did in Psalm 27, seeking His face, leaning on His strength to carry us through. Like the apostle Paul, we know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). God is the source of all goodness. He is our light, safe place, and salvation. We are His children through faith in Jesus Christ, so we can rest securely in Him (John 1:12; 16:33; Luke 12:22–34). The Lord truly is, as the old hymn goes, a shelter in the time of storm.

understand

God’s light dispels darkness.
God’s light leads us to salvation.
Salvation is only found in the Lord.

reflect

How have you experienced God’s light as guidance and protection when facing challenges in your life?
What areas of your life need to be illuminated by the light of God’s Word?
How does knowing that God is your salvation impact the way you respond to fear or anxiety?

engage

Why do you think the metaphor of God as light is used so frequently in both the Old and New Testaments?
How can believers demonstrate God’s light and salvation to others in a world filled with darkness?
How does Jesus’ role as the “light of the world” transform our understanding of salvation and hope?