1 Of David. Jehovah [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the fortress of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil-doers drew near unto me to eat my flesh, mine adversaries and mine enemies against me, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me my heart doth not fear; though war rise up against me, in this I [am] confident.
4 One [thing] have I asked from Jehovah, that will I seek after; to dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of Jehovah and to consider in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his tabernacle in the day of evil; in the secret place of his tent will he hide me; he will set me upon a rock.
6 And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me, and I will sacrifice in his tent sacrifices of joyful noise, I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto Jehovah.
7 Hear, O Jehovah, my voice: I call, and be thou merciful unto me, and answer me.
8 Unto thee my heart said, Seek ye my face: thy face, O Jehovah, I seek;
9 Hide not thy face from me, turn not away in anger thy servant; thou hast been my help; leave me not and forsake me not, O God of my salvation.
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but Jehovah gathereth me.
11 Teach me thy way, O Jehovah, and lead me in a path of righteousness because of those who watch for me.
12 Give me not unto the will of mine adversaries, for witnesses of falsehood have risen up against me and he that breatheth out violence.
13 If I had not trusted to look upon the goodness of Jehovah in the land of the living!
14 Wait for Jehovah; be strong, and he shall strengthen thy heart; yea, wait for Jehovah.
Notes on Psalm 27
Here we begin exercises of heart corresponding with the remnant’s view of Messiah thus known in measure; for it is only after they have seen Him and the Spirit is poured out afresh that they will enter into His work in power. It is the confidence inspired by the Spirit of Him Who was all alone in His sufferings for them. Now that there is integrity of heart as well as a purged conscience, they can boldly face the enemy.
“Jehovah [is] my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? Jehovah [is] the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?” Such is the starting-point, simple-hearted confidence in Jehovah, be the enemies who or what they may in vers. 1-6.
But there is trial felt and prayer poured out to Jehovah. Such is the cry of distress, but of confidence withal founded on Jehovah’s heart saying, Seek ye My face: a touching plea somewhat obscured in both the Auth. and Rev. versions as elsewhere. There is some difficulty because of Jehovah’s call suddenly remembered and acted on; but when duly weighed, the resulting sense seems decidedly good and striking, whereas the ordinary way is confused and pointless.