Psalms27
New International Version
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Study
Psalms 27Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 27. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The psalmist's faith. (1–6). His desire toward God, and expectation from him. (7–14).
vv1-6
The Lord, who is the believer's light, is the strength of his life; not only by whom, but in whom he lives and moves. In God let us strengthen ourselves. The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to hear prayer, the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his people; these are the secret of his tabernacle, and in these the saints find cause for that holy security and peace of mind in which they dwell at ease. The psalmist prays for constant communion with God in holy ordinances. All God's children desire to dwell in their Father's house. Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, to tarry but for a night; or to dwell there for a time only, as the servant that abides not in the house for ever; but to dwell there all the days of their life, as children with a father. Do we hope that the praising of God will be the blessedness of our eternity? Surely then we ought to make it the business of our time. This he had at heart more than any thing. Whatever the Christian is as to this life, he considers the favour and service of God as the one thing needful. This he desires, prays for and seeks after, and in it he rejoices.
vv7-14
Wherever the believer is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. God calls us by his Spirit, by his word, by his worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflicting. When we are foolishly making court to lying vanities, God is, in love to us, calling us to seek our own mercies in him. The call is general, “Seek ye my face;” but we must apply it to ourselves, “I will seek it.” The word does us no good, when we do not ourselves accept the exhortation: a gracious heart readily answers to the call of a gracious God, being made willing in the day of his power. The psalmist requests the favour of the Lord; the continuance of his presence with him; the benefit of Divine guidance, and the benefit of Divine protection. God's time to help those that trust in him, is, when all other helpers fail. He is a surer and better Friend than earthly parents are, or can be. What was the belief which supported the psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord. There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens. Let us look unto the suffering Saviour, and pray in faith, not to be delivered into the hands of our enemies. Let us encourage each other to wait on the Lord, with patient expectation, and fervent prayer.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אוֹר: illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
יֶשַׁע: liberty, deliverance, prosperity
מִי: who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָרֵא: to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten
מָעוֹז: a fortified place; figuratively, a defence
חַי: alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
פָּחַד: to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general
רָעַע: properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)
קָרַב: to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
Cross References
Psalms 27Boldly exults in God's protection, concluding that if God is for us, none can stand against us.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallels the desire to dwell in God's house and love the habitation of His glory.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Directly defines "seeking the face" of the Lord as seeking His presence, strength, and favor.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the vivid, aggressive phrase of adversaries wishing to eat up the Psalmist's flesh.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbal link with hiding in the secret of God's presence from the pride of man.
Supported by JFB
Typological pattern where Christ's approaching enemies stumbled and fell backward to the ground.
Expresses the absolute assurance that God will never leave nor forsake His servants.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Uses the same Hebrew term for the "will" or "desire" of enemies to swallow him up.
Supported by JFB
Identical exhortation to be of good courage, promising that God shall strengthen the heart.
Contrasts the possible failure of motherly love with God's infallible, enduring care.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the rising up of false witnesses who lay to charge things not known.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illuminates the idiom of "breathing out cruelty" via Saul breathing out threatenings and slaughter.
Supported by JFB
Parallels walking before God in the light of the living instead of falling.
Direct thematic echo of the Lord lighting the Psalmist's candle and enlightening darkness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Typological connection to Christ's trials where false witnesses rose up to deliver Him to death.
Supported by Matthew Henry