Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Psalms » Chapter 27 » Verse 8-9

Psalms 27:8-9 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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

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.