Psalms 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.