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?
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
One 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.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
Hide 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.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalms 27 is a powerful song of faith and courage, brimming with David's unwavering trust in God amidst adversity. It's a psalm that resonates deeply with anyone facing challenges, offering a beacon of hope and a reminder of God's constant presence and protection. Understanding the context and message of Psalms 27 can provide immense comfort and strength.
Context
Most scholars believe David penned Psalms 27 during a time of exile, possibly while fleeing from King Saul or his rebellious son Absalom. Psalms 21, 26, and 28 share a similar spirit, reflecting David's reliance on God during periods of intense pressure. The psalm beautifully blends expressions of confidence in God as a guide and deliverer with honest acknowledgements of human fear, creating a relatable and deeply personal prayer.
Commentary
God, My Light and Salvation (Psalms 27:1-3)
David begins with a bold declaration of faith: "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?" (Psalms 27:1). Here, God is depicted as light, illuminating the darkness that surrounds David. Light, in Hebrew thought, symbolizes truth and goodness, driving away confusion and despair. God is also David’s salvation, delivering him physically and spiritually despite the adversity he faces (Psalms 27:2-3). He is David's "stronghold," a place of safety and security, an unshakeable fortress against any foe. The rhetorical questions highlight David's profound trust: if God is with him, who or what can truly inspire fear?
Longing for God's Presence (Psalms 27:4-6)
David then expresses his deepest desire: "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" (Psalms 27:4). This reveals David's passionate pursuit of intimate fellowship with God through worship. David yearns for constant communion with God, to dwell in His presence, beholding His beauty and seeking His guidance. He knew that, in God’s presence, he would experience both divine covering and divine exaltation (Psalms 27:5-6). He believes God will protect him even if an army of malicious adversaries surround him.
A Plea for Grace and Guidance (Psalms 27:7-12)
The tone shifts slightly as David cries out to God in prayer: "Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me" (Psalms 27:7). This is not a sign of wavering faith, but a demonstration of human vulnerability. David "knows" he can trust God, but that knowledge does not make a person perfectly immune to fear. He remembers the Lord’s command to seek His face, therefore he will seek the Lord (Psalms 27:8). He pleads for God's continued presence and protection: "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!" (Psalms 27:9). David's writing often requests that God lead him into spiritual truth (Psalms 4:3; 25:5; 86:11).
Even if abandoned by his own family, David trusts that God will never forsake him (Psalms 27:10). He asks for clear direction and a level path so that his enemies would not overpower him (Psalms 27:11-12). He asks God to show him His way, to lead him on a level path, and to protect him from the slander and violence of his enemies.
Hope and Courage in the Lord (Psalms 27:13-14)
David concludes with a renewed affirmation of faith and an encouragement to others: "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalms 27:13). This declaration expresses David's unwavering belief that he will experience God's goodness in his lifetime. He then offers encouragement to others (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-5): "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalms 27:14). "Waiting" on God does not mean being passive; rather, it is an active engagement of life’s challenges within the revealed will of God as we hope for his deliverance. This final verse serves as a powerful reminder to remain steadfast in faith, to find strength in God, and to patiently trust in His perfect timing. It's a call to courage, urging us to persevere even when faced with uncertainty and adversity.
Psalms 27 is more than just a psalm of David; it's a testament to the enduring power of faith and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is our light, our salvation, and our stronghold.
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?
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
One 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.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
Hide 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.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalms 27 is a powerful song of faith and courage, brimming with David's unwavering trust in God amidst adversity. It's a psalm that resonates deeply with anyone facing challenges, offering a beacon of hope and a reminder of God's constant presence and protection. Understanding the context and message of Psalms 27 can provide immense comfort and strength.
Context
Most scholars believe David penned Psalms 27 during a time of exile, possibly while fleeing from King Saul or his rebellious son Absalom. Psalms 21, 26, and 28 share a similar spirit, reflecting David's reliance on God during periods of intense pressure. The psalm beautifully blends expressions of confidence in God as a guide and deliverer with honest acknowledgements of human fear, creating a relatable and deeply personal prayer.
Commentary
God, My Light and Salvation (Psalms 27:1-3)
David begins with a bold declaration of faith: "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?" (Psalms 27:1). Here, God is depicted as light, illuminating the darkness that surrounds David. Light, in Hebrew thought, symbolizes truth and goodness, driving away confusion and despair. God is also David’s salvation, delivering him physically and spiritually despite the adversity he faces (Psalms 27:2-3). He is David's "stronghold," a place of safety and security, an unshakeable fortress against any foe. The rhetorical questions highlight David's profound trust: if God is with him, who or what can truly inspire fear?
Longing for God's Presence (Psalms 27:4-6)
David then expresses his deepest desire: "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" (Psalms 27:4). This reveals David's passionate pursuit of intimate fellowship with God through worship. David yearns for constant communion with God, to dwell in His presence, beholding His beauty and seeking His guidance. He knew that, in God’s presence, he would experience both divine covering and divine exaltation (Psalms 27:5-6). He believes God will protect him even if an army of malicious adversaries surround him.
A Plea for Grace and Guidance (Psalms 27:7-12)
The tone shifts slightly as David cries out to God in prayer: "Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me" (Psalms 27:7). This is not a sign of wavering faith, but a demonstration of human vulnerability. David "knows" he can trust God, but that knowledge does not make a person perfectly immune to fear. He remembers the Lord’s command to seek His face, therefore he will seek the Lord (Psalms 27:8). He pleads for God's continued presence and protection: "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!" (Psalms 27:9). David's writing often requests that God lead him into spiritual truth (Psalms 4:3; 25:5; 86:11).
Even if abandoned by his own family, David trusts that God will never forsake him (Psalms 27:10). He asks for clear direction and a level path so that his enemies would not overpower him (Psalms 27:11-12). He asks God to show him His way, to lead him on a level path, and to protect him from the slander and violence of his enemies.
Hope and Courage in the Lord (Psalms 27:13-14)
David concludes with a renewed affirmation of faith and an encouragement to others: "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalms 27:13). This declaration expresses David's unwavering belief that he will experience God's goodness in his lifetime. He then offers encouragement to others (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-5): "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalms 27:14). "Waiting" on God does not mean being passive; rather, it is an active engagement of life’s challenges within the revealed will of God as we hope for his deliverance. This final verse serves as a powerful reminder to remain steadfast in faith, to find strength in God, and to patiently trust in His perfect timing. It's a call to courage, urging us to persevere even when faced with uncertainty and adversity.
Psalms 27 is more than just a psalm of David; it's a testament to the enduring power of faith and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, God is our light, our salvation, and our stronghold.