Bible Commentaries
Psalms 27

Verses 1-14

Psalms 27

DAVID’S CONFIDENCE

Verses 1-14:

Verse 1 expresses David’s trust and confidence in the Lord as his "light," and salvation, as certified Psalms 26:1; Psalms 84:11; Isaiah 60:19-20; Micah 7:8-9. He therefore asks just who he has occasion to fear? 1 John 4:18. He added that the Lord (Jehovah) existed as the strength of his salvation, concluding thereby that no occasion existed for him to fear anyone, Psalms 62:2; Psalms 62:6; Psalms 118:14; Psalms 118:21; Isaiah 12:2; Nehemiah 6:9; Romans 1:16. His attitude seemed to be that "if God be for us, who can be against us?" with any success, Romans 8:31.

Verse 2 witnesses that when David’s enemies and antagonists swooped down upon him to destroy his flesh, like savage beasts, they stumbled and fell, or were caused to be destroyed themselves while David survived, was preserved of the Lord, Psalms 34:7.

Verse 3 expresses David’s faith that even tho an host (of enemies) should encamp against him, with murder in their hearts, his heart would not be afraid, Psalms 3:6. He added that tho war should rise up against him, he would remain confident of victory in the Lord who was his strength, his strong captain and protector, as also expressed by Job, Job 1:22.

Verse 4 relates a noble resolve of David, even a yearning desire to dwell in the house of the Lord (the spirit or spiritual) atmosphere of the house of the Lord, the tabernacle and temple, all the days of his life, 1) to behold the beauty of the Lord, and, 2) to inquire of Him in the temple. He did not desire a literal dwelling in the temple all his life; For even the priests had no such privilege, but to dwell in the spirit of God’s holiness, his attributes all his life, Psalms 15:1; Psalms 23:6; John 14:23; Revelation 3:12; John 8:35; James 1:25.

Verse 5 adds that in the time of trouble the Lord would hide him or shield him in His pavilion, the secret place of His tabernacle, protected from evil, in the shrine of Divine safety, a secure asylum or refuge from harm, as expressed 1 Kings 2:28; Psalms 31:20; Psalms 83:3; Psalms 91:1; Isaiah 4:6, and as He hid Moses from stoning, Numbers 14:10; Psalms 31:20. He added that so the Lord would elevate him upon a rock, a good foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:10.

Verses 6, 7 declare that David’s head (chin) would be caused to be lifted up above that of his enemies around him; He would not bow or cower before them, because of the strong arm help of his God, v.5; Psalms 3:3. He resolved to offer up sacrifices of joy and praise to the Lord in the tabernacle, indicating that the temple was not yet built. He resolved to offer jubilee offerings, Numbers 23:21. These were offered with shouting joy and sound of trumpets, on days of solemn gladness, Numbers 10:10; Psalms 131:3; Psalms 139:16.
Verse 7 turns then to a mournful supplication for the Lord to give heed to him when he cried aloud with his voice and show mercy to him and answer his request; It is a thing He will do, Psalms 40:1-3; James 5:13-16.

Verse 8 relates that when the Lord called on David to seek his face or favor, David’s heart responded to the call of the Lord, "thy face, O Lord, will I seek," continually, Deuteronomy 4:29; To seek the face means the favor or good will of a royal person, Psalms 24:6; Proverbs 29:26; 2 Samuel 2:11.

Verse 9 pleas, "Hide not thy face far from me," or "turn not your favor and protection away from me." He continued to ask that the Lord put him not away, as a master would a servant at whom he is angry. He acknowledged that God had been his former help, begging that He not leave, desert, abandon or forsake him, as the God of his salvation, John 2:9; John 12:26; Matthew 25:41; Hebrews 13:5; Psalms 69:17; Psalms 14:3-7.

Verse 10 testified that when or "tho" father and mother forsook him, then the Lord (semper fidelis) always faithful, would take him up, support or sustain him, through all trouble, Isaiah 40:11; John 10:28-30. He would be taken up, cared for by the Lord, as a child deserted in the streets by his parents. Judges 19:21; Joshua 20:4; Matthew 23:37; Isaiah 49:15; 2 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:18.

Verse 11 pleads "teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in (along) a plain (unobstructed) path, because of mine enemies," who sought to entrap him and make his path slippery, Psalms 25:4; Psalms 26:12.

Verse 12 cries for the Lord to hold back His delivery from the will of his enemies who had enlisted false, lying, witnesses against him, even those who breathed out cruelty against him, with vehement breathing, Exodus 20:6; 1 Samuel 22:9; Matthew 26:59; See also Proverbs 6:19; Acts 9:1.

Verse 13 relates that David would have fainted or fallen out had he not believed, had faith in the land of the living, that is in this life, Ezekiel 26:20. he not only "hoped for" but "believed" to see. or experience the goodness of the Lord, in this life, Psalms 25:7; Psalms 31:19; Zechariah 9:17;1 Timothy 4:8; Mark 10:29-30.

Verse 14 concludes with a note of confidence, "wait on the Lord; be of good courage," or exist with vigor, with strength and David declared, "He shall strengthen thine heart." It appears that He was encouraging himself, as well as those who should later share these words, He concluded, "wait (rest your case) I say, on the Lord," 1 Peter 5:7; See also Psalms 31:24; Galatians 6:9;Psalms 62:1; Psalms 62:5; Psalms 130:5; Isaiah 25:9; Habakkuk 2:3.