Psalm 27
A Psalm of David
How a Faithful Saint Seeks Help

This psalm divides itself naturally into four divisions. The first describes the confidence of David even in the face of a ‘host’ encamped against him. His present confidence was based on previous deliverances.

Ps 27:1-3
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.

This ‘host,’ however, was probably not an army with swords and weapons of war but a group that had allied against him to destroy him through words and false accusations. The phrase ‘to eat up my flesh’ is one common in the Middle Eastern idiom to denote those who would destroy a person with words. The ‘war’ is, no doubt, a war of influence, a war of words. Such a conflict is one that a person of integrity like David finds more challenging than a war on the battlefield. Even here, however, he encourages his heart
to be confident in the Lord, Who is both ‘Light’ to combat the ‘darkness’ of lies and innuendo, the favorite tool of such enemies, and ‘Strength’ to supply all of the ability (enablement, Grace) that he needs to outlast
and overcome his foes.

Ps 27:4-6
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 inquire 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.

The ‘one thing’ that David desired was constant communion with the Lord, pictured here as one living at the temple. This communion with the Lord is his defense, his secret place of safety from the wicked lies of his enemies. That place of communion is pictured as 1. His temple, 2. His pavilion, 3. His tabernacle, and 4. A rock..

Remember that there was no ‘temple’ constructed, as yet, during the life of David, though he was gathering the materials for the one which Solomon built. The temple of the Lord was, in his mind, in heaven, the dwelling place of the Lord. Such communion with Him is the very entering in to the ‘tent,’ the home of the Lord Himself, where those who seek Him are covered over and protected (as though hidden) from their enemies. But this place is also a place of such secure safety as to be described also as ‘a rock.’

It is also a place of great exaltation in which the one in communion with God rises, as it were, above his enemies. They cannot touch him; 1. Because he is hidden from them, 2. He is put in a place of safety from them, and 3. He is exalted over them. Because he is in the very Presence of God, they cannot successfully attack and defeat him.

To enter in to this place, however, requires a certain attitude of mind and spirit.

Ps 27:7-12
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.

It involves: 1. Crying to the Lord, i.e.; 2. Calling out for mercy, 3. Seeking the face of God, 4. A certain sense of desperate longing for Him with the knowledge that He may justly refuse because of our sins, 5. A preference of the Lord above all human connections, 6. A willing and teachable spirit, 7. A dependence upon the Lord alone, 8. The awareness of the danger that exists outside of His protection.

The saint first of all needs mercy concerning his own sins. If God does not pardon him, there will be no entering in to His temple, pavilion, tabernacle (tent). Secondly, he needs the merciful intervention of God concerning his enemies. He needs the ‘answer’ of God on both accounts. The answer concerning his sins is the confirmation of God to his heart that he is indeed received and forgiven. The answer concerning his enemies is the defeat of their purposes.

When he seeks the ‘face’ of God he is indeed seeking the revealed Presence of God which signifies that he is indeed in communion with Him. If God hides His face, refuses to enter in to communion with his child, there is rejection felt that is more profound than the rejection of father and mother. But David assures himself that God is more faithful even than one’s parents and, though they might cast one off, God never will refuse Himself to the one who seeks Him in repentance and faith. His face is to be preferred above the approval of one’s parents. (Which, by the way, was a huge thing in the mind of a Biblical Hebrew.)

The communion with God involves the willingness to be led in the paths of righteousness (a plain path – a straight way). This is the positive side of repentance, a turning toward righteousness with a willing and committed heart. No one can sustain communion who does not turn from sin, neither can he unless he turns toward holiness, the following of the commands of God.

There is also the awareness that it is always within the power of God to deliver one over to his enemies and that the Lord is the Only One who can prevent them from overcoming and overwhelming the saint. Therefore, one’s complete dependence must be upon Him and Him alone.

The danger that exists is falling into the hands of cruel enemies, those who would completely devour the life of the saint, taking away both his faith, his testimony, and his hope of eternal life. Such are risen against every saint and can only be defeated by the power of God.

In order to arrive at the place of communion and to stay there, one must communicate correctly with himself.

Ps 27:13-14
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.

Involved here is: 1. The contemplation of what life would be like without God’s help, 2. Exhortation concerning ‘waiting,’ 3. Stirring up one’s courage to ‘wait’ upon Him because attacks may come before the deliverance becomes apparent.

The Lord’s deliverance, particularly over such enemies as David is facing here, often does not come quickly. The saint must often endure accusation and attack for some time before the Lord delivers. Therefore, he must have the courage to remain constant, not to shrink for his task, compromise with the enemy, or be frightened away from his task. Neither must he become so unsettled in his mind as to leave off his seeking after the communion of God.

May the Lord grant us all Grace to seek Him and abide in His Temple before the attacks come (and they will) rather than seek Him to deliver us from a ‘pit.’

— May 11, 2020