PSALM 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.