Psalms 27
King James Version (KJV) · English
1 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? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 9 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. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Commentary — not Bible text
Psalms 27:1
PSALM 27
Psa 27:1-14. With a general strain of confidence, hope, and joy, especially in God's worship, in the midst of dangers, the Psalmist introduces prayer for divine help and guidance.
1. light--is a common figure for comfort.
strength--or, "stronghold"--affording security against all violence. The interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.
Psalms 27:2
Psalms 27:3
3. In the greatest dangers.
in this--that is, then, in such extremity.
Psalms 27:4-5
4-5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psa 16:11; 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7). There he is safe (Psa 31:21; 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.
Psalms 27:6
6. head be lifted up--I shall be placed beyond the reach of my enemies. Hence he avows his purpose of rendering joyful thank offerings.
Psalms 27:7
7. Still pressing need extorts prayer for help.
cry with my voice--denotes earnestness. Other things equal, Christians in earnest pray audibly, even in secret.
Psalms 27:8
8. The meaning is clear, though the construction in a literal translation is obscure. The English Version supplies the implied clause. To seek God's face is to seek His favor (Psa 105:4).
Psalms 27:9
Psalms 27:10
Psalms 27:11
Psalms 27:12
Psalms 27:13
13. The strong emotion is indicated by the incomplete sentence, for which the English Version supplies a proper clause; or, omitting that, and rendering, "yet I believed," &c., the contrast of his faith and his danger is expressed.
to see--is to experience (Psa 22:17).
Psalms 27:14
14. Wait, &c.--in confident expectation. The last clause is, literally, "and wait," &c., as if expecting new measures of help.
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