1 [[A Psalm of David.]] H1732 The LORD H3068 is my light H216 and my salvation; H3468 whom shall I fear? H3372 the LORD H3068 is the strength H4581 of my life; H2416 of whom shall I be afraid? H6342
2 When the wicked, H7489 even mine enemies H6862 and my foes, H341 came H7126 upon me to eat up H398 my flesh, H1320 they stumbled H3782 and fell. H5307
3 Though an host H4264 should encamp H2583 against me, my heart H3820 shall not fear: H3372 though war H4421 should rise H6965 against me, in this will I be confident. H982
4 One H259 thing have I desired H7592 of the LORD, H3068 that will I seek H1245 after; that I may dwell H3427 in the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 all the days H3117 of my life, H2416 to behold H2372 the beauty H5278 of the LORD, H3068 and to enquire H1239 in his temple. H1964
5 For in the time H3117 of trouble H7451 he shall hide H6845 me in his pavilion: H5520 in the secret H5643 of his tabernacle H168 shall he hide H5641 me; he shall set me up H7311 upon a rock. H6697
6 And now shall mine head H7218 be lifted up H7311 above mine enemies H341 round about H5439 me: therefore will I offer H2076 in his tabernacle H168 sacrifices H2077 of joy; H8643 I will sing, H7891 yea, I will sing praises H2167 unto the LORD. H3068
7 Hear, H8085 O LORD, H3068 when I cry H7121 with my voice: H6963 have mercy H2603 also upon me, and answer H6030 me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek H1245 ye my face; H6440 my heart H3820 said H559 unto thee, Thy face, H6440 LORD, H3068 will I seek. H1245
9 Hide H5641 not thy face H6440 far from me; put H5186 not thy servant H5650 away H5186 in anger: H639 thou hast been my help; H5833 leave H5203 me not, neither forsake H5800 me, O God H430 of my salvation. H3468
10 When my father H1 and my mother H517 forsake H5800 me, then the LORD H3068 will take me up. H622
11 Teach H3384 me thy way, H1870 O LORD, H3068 and lead H5148 me in a plain H4334 path, H734 because of mine enemies. H8324
12 Deliver H5414 me not over unto the will H5315 of mine enemies: H6862 for false H8267 witnesses H5707 are risen up H6965 against me, and such as breathe out H3307 cruelty. H2555
13 I had fainted, unless H3884 I had believed H539 to see H7200 the goodness H2898 of the LORD H3068 in the land H776 of the living. H2416
14 Wait H6960 on the LORD: H3068 be of good courage, H2388 and he shall strengthen H553 thine heart: H3820 wait, H6960 I say, on the LORD. H3068
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 27
Commentary on Psalms 27 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 27
Ps 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.
2. eat … my flesh—(Job 19:22; Ps 14:4). The allusion to wild beasts illustrates their rapacity.
they stumbled—"they" is emphatic; not I, but they were destroyed.
3. In the greatest dangers.
in this—that is, then, in such extremity.
4, 5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Ps 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 Ps 5:7). There he is safe (Ps 31:21; 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.
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.
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.
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 (Ps 105:4).
9. Hide not, &c.—(Ps 4:6; 22:24). Against rejection he pleads former mercy and love.
10. In the extremity of earthly destitution (Ps 31:11; 38:11), God provides (compare Mt 25:35).
11. thy way—of providence.
a plain path—(Ps 26:12).
enemies—literally, "watchers for my fall" (Ps 5:8).
12. will—literally, "soul," "desire" (Ps 35:25).
enemies—literally, "oppressors." Falsehood aids cruelty against him.
breathe out—as being filled with it (Ac 9:1).
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 (Ps 22:17).
14. Wait, &c.—in confident expectation. The last clause is, literally, "and wait," &c., as if expecting new measures of help.