DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 27 David expresses confidence in the LORD and encourages his readers to do the same, even in times of trouble. The occasion for the Psalm is unknown; but the two most troublesome times in David's life came at the hands of Saul and of Absalom. The painting above depicts people who are waiting for a train. They wait expectantly, not anxiously. Likewise, David's closing exhortation to his readers is to wait with courage for the LORD who will strengthen their heart when he comes.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 19-31. 2 Samuel 15-18. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 27 - #1. Psalm 27 - #2. Psalm 27 - #3. ]

     David opens his Psalm with words of confidence in the LORD. He closes it by encouraging others to have the same confidence. He says that the LORD is his light, his salvation, and the strength of his life. Therefore he fears no one. In the past, when his wicked enemies came to devour him, they stumbled and fell. Therefore, though an army should encamp against him and make war, his heart will not be afraid (1-3). He desires one thing from the LORD -- that he may dwell in his house, beholding his beauty, as he seeks him there. For it is there, in the presence of the LORD, that the LORD will hide him and set him on a rock, and lift up his head above his enemies. Therefore, he will offer sacrifices of joy in God's tabernacle and sing praises to the LORD (4-6). Having made these assertions of confidence, David then prays to the LORD in response to the LORD's invitation to seek his face. David responds, "Your face, LORD, will I seek." And so he asks the LORD not to hide his face from him, not to put him away in anger, and not to leave or forsake him. And he is confident that, even though his mother and his father might forsake him, the LORD will take him up. He also asks the LORD to teach him his ways and to lead him in a plain path because false and cruel witnesses have risen against him (7-12). In closing, he says that unless he had believed that he would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living, he would have fainted. He therefore encourages his hearers to be of good courage, and the LORD will strengthen their heart: "Wait, I say, on the LORD" (13-14).

¹ A Psalm of David. *

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.

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 enquire 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.

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.

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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]