Psalm 27. This is another Psalm of David, and it has a remarkably positive outlook, especially at the beginning. Then the opposition increases, and doubts arise, but in the end they take courage. It speaks of the confidence of the faithful in Jehovah’s protection, in spite of enemies around. Prophetically this Psalm describes the expressions of the faithful remnant under persecution.

 

 

vv.1-6 The Confidence of the Saints. The first half of the Psalm give us the confidence of the faithful in Jehovah. In lieu of who Jehovah is, the faithful are unafraid; “whom shall I fear? … of whom shall I be afraid?”. In v.2, past deliverances are reviewed. In v.3, future opposition is anticipated, not only individuals but “a host”, and prolonging the antagonism as a “war”. Even in these trying conditions, the faithful can say “in this will I be confident”. In v.4 we have the utmost desire of the saints; “One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah, and to inquire of him in his temple.” Notice the order: the answer to the heart comes first (to behold His beauty), then the answer to the mind (to inquire). With confidence in the Lord, and with the hope of standing in His presence, the faithful can count on Jehovah’s protection “in the day of evil” (compare Eph. 6:13), to shield them like a “pavilion” or “tent”, and provide solid footing like a “rock”. In v.6, the confidence of the remnant in Jehovah causes them to look on to the time of their final deliverance, and even to the time when they will offer “sacrifices of shouts of joy” and “sing psalms unto Jehovah” in thanksgiving for a full salvation!

 

vv.7-14 The Cry of Distress. The faithful are seen in a tribe of sever trial. In vv.7-10 they cry out to Jehovah not to forsake them. They desire that He would answer their prayers, and not hide His face from them. Encouraged by Jehovah, they seek His face, recalling His goodness to them in the past. The wording is a bit obscure, but the first part of v.8 is Jehovah speaking; i.e. His heart saying to the faithful “Seek ye my face”. The second part of the verse is the psalmist’s response; “Thy face, O Jehovah, will I seek”.¹ When all others forsook them – even the nearest natural relationships (“my father and my mother”) – then Jehovah would take them up. In vv.11-12 the remnant prays for special guidance so as to not fall into the hands of the enemies. In vv.13-14 it is the faith of the remnant in “the goodness of the Jehovah” that gives them strength to “be strong” and “take courage” (see Heb. 11:6), that Jehovah will bring them through the trial into blessing. At the end of v.13 we have an aposiopesis, which is when speech is suddenly broken off by an intervening thought or idea. Here the psalmist starts to go down the path of “what if…?”, but then he cuts himself suddenly short, a surge of confidence washing away the doubt. It is a beautiful exchange!