Bible Commentaries
Psalms 27

Verses 1-14

Psalms 27:0

Structure - If we will purify our hearts (Psalms 27:2), then we will have access into God’s presence (Psalms 27:4). It is in God’s presence where we find protection in times of trouble (Psalms 27:5-6). He will never be far from us (Psalms 27:9) and will be closer to us than our own father and mother (Psalms 27:10). He will strengthen us during times when we would otherwise faint (Psalms 27:13-14).

Psalms 27:1 (A Psalm of David.) 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?

Psalms 27:1 “the LORD is the strength of my life” - Comments - What does it mean for the Lord to be “the strength of my life”? When you know that He is with you, then you are not afraid. You are willing to make decisions knowing that the Lord will see you through. There is much inner courage and strength that is gained by His presence and by your experiences of His delivering you out of adversities.

Psalms 27:4 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.

Psalms 27:4 Comments David fled in exile into the wilderness and was deprived of the opportunity to worship the Lord in the Tabernacle for a long period of time. Upon his return to Jerusalem and his appointment as king over Judah and Israel, a determination was deposited in his heart to worship the Lord with an intensity that exceeded all those around him. In his office as king, he first subdued those neighbours who were hostile towards Israel. Having established peace, his desire turned towards the construction of a magnificent place of worship for the Lord. Having been told by the prophet Nathan that his son Solomon would build the Temple (2 Samuel 7:1-17), David spent the rest of his kingship gathering materials and making plans for the construction of the first Temple.

Sometimes hardships in our lives turn us into a different person, a person that we could have never been had we not experienced difficulties. We become a person determined with an energy that no man can stop to do a great work for the Lord, as we see in the life of David.

Scripture References - Note:

Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 27:14 Word Study on “wait” Strong says the Hebrew word “qavah” ( קָוָה ) (H6960) means literally, “to bind (together) (perhaps by twisting), to collect.” Figuratively, it means, “to expect, to gather (together), to look patiently, to tarry, to wait (for, on, upon).” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 49 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “wait 29, look 13, wait for 1, look for 1, gathered 1, misc 4.”