The Book of Psalms
Psalm 27
Psalm XXVII · Vol. II, p. 1002
1 David sustaineth his faith by the power of God, 4 by his love to the service of God, 9 and by prayer.
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is amy light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?1 the bLORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
B.C. cir. 1020.
a Mi.7.7,8. 2 Sa.22.29. Is 60.19,20. Jn.8.12.
1 He who most fears God, will least fear man; yet he who can truly say, 'I am fearless,' must be more than man. And that the speaker is Christ, must appear from comparing this with Ps.3.6, and considering the evidence by which that psalm is ascribed to Christ.—C.
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon2 me cto eat up my flesh, they dstumbled and fell.
3 Thoughe an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
e Ps.3.6; 56.4,11; 118.6-14. 1 Pe.3.14,15. Phi.1.28.
4 Oneg thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I hseek after; ithat I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty3 of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.4
g Ps.38.9; 42.1-4; 43.3,4; 84.1,2,10; 122.1,2; 23.6. Phi.3.8. 1 Ti.3.15,16. 2 Co.3.18.
h Lu.11.8,9; 18.1. Ja.5.16,17.
3 Or, the delight.
4 The word is applied to both tabernacle and temple. It may mean either. If the psalm was composed by David, then the tabernacle must be referred to; probably that tabernacle which David erected for the reception of the ark on Mount Zion.—P.
5 Forj 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 kupon a rock.
6 Andl now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: ntherefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;5 I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.6
l 2 Sa. iii. v. viii. x. xviii. xx.-xxii. Ps.3.3.
n Ps.26.12; 66.13-15; 22.22,25; 145.1,2,5,21; 42.4.
5 Heb. of shouting.
6 Literally fulfilled, as in Mat.26.30.—C.
9 Hideq not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; rleave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 Whens my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.8
s Is.49.15,16; 46.3,4. 2 Ti.4.16,17.
8 Heb. will gather me, Is.40.11.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: ufor false witnesses are risen up against me,2 and such as breathe out cruelty.
u Ps.35.11. Mat.26.59. Ac.6.11,13; 9.1; 26.11.
2 See this literally fulfilled, Mar.14.56.—Note, The character of the devil is 'a liar from the beginning,' 'an accuser of the brethren;' and false witness, either by insinuation, evil report, or solemn testimony, has ever been the principal weapon with which they have assailed his servants and church.—C.
13 I had fainted, vunless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
v Ep.2.8. Ps.112.7,8; 118.17,18; 116.9?; 143.5. 2 Ch.20.20. Jn.11.40.
Notes
Ver. 2. My foes came upon me to eat up my flesh. When Satan, who has the power of death, He. 2. 14, and the high-priest, who had the power of indictment, and Pilate, who had the power of condemnation, came against me, to deliver me up to the devouring grave. C.
Ver. 5. David never escaped from trouble; but Christ is gone into the heavens, waiting till all his enemies be made his footstool. C.
Ver. 10. It is not to be overlooked that, after the commencement of our Lord's ministry, Joseph, his reputed father, is not mentioned, being most probably dead; and when his mother and brethren endeavoured to approach him, Mat. 12. 46; Mar. 3. 32-35; Lu. 8. 19-21, he defines his nearest and dearest relatives to be 'those who hear the word of God, and do it.' Now that literally, and also in this spiritual sense, Christ was forsaken of all earthly relations, is evident from the history of his malicious trial and barbarous crucifixion, Mat. 26. 56; Jn. 16. 32. C.
Reflections.—Happy are they to whom Jesus Christ is a blessed instructor, saviour, strengthener, and quickener! He is at once the source, the price, the means, the matter, and the bestower of all our spiritual and eternal blessings. Where faith in him, through his word, keeps strong and steady, no enemies or dangers can make us either to fear or faint. To live near him, and to behold his and his Father's glory in ordinances here, and in heaven above, is the pleasure, the protection, the honour of a saint, and the matter of his thankful praise. Nothing can be dearer to his heart than divine encouragements to intimate and gracious fellowship with God. A sense of his favour is the greatest help and comfort under manifold troubles and wants. His instructions direct to safe and honourable walking amidst the most malignant enemies. And though all men should forsake us, or even hate us, it is enough if he love and support us. Faith in his promises and characters will keep us from fainting amidst raging lusts, powerful temptations and distresses, and enemies unnumbered. And the more of his goodness we experience in waiting for him, the more we should encourage others to patient expectations of his grace.