Enthusiastic confidence is the keynote of the first six verses of the Psalm. Under Jehovah's guardianship the Psalmist knows no fear in the midst of dangers (Psalms 27:1). His highest desire is to enjoy Jehovah's fellowship and protection as a guest in His house. He anticipates a speedy triumph over... [ Continue Reading ]
_my light_ Illuminating the darkness of trouble, anxiety, and danger; giving life and joy. Cp. Psalms 4:6; Psalms 18:28; Psalms 36:9; Psalms 43:3; Psalms 84:11; Isaiah 10:17; Micah 7:8. Again the N.T. interprets the words for us in a larger spiritual sense. John 1:4;... [ Continue Reading ]
With Jehovah on his side, he knows no fear. This faith, the constant theme of prophet and psalmist, finds its N.T. extension in Romans 8:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
When evil-doers came near against me to eat my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. This may refer to past experience, or it may be a confident anticipation of the discomfiture of his foes. According to a common Hebrew idiom the perfect tense may realise their defeat a... [ Continue Reading ]
The language may be figurative, but is more natural, if the writer was, like David, actually exposed to war's alarms. Cp. Psalms 3:6. _in this_ In the truth of Psalms 27:1. But it is better to render with R.V., even then, in spite of opposing armies.... [ Continue Reading ]
_One_thing _have I desired_ R.V., One thing have I asked; above all others as the climax of my petitions. _to behold_ The word implies a wondering and delighted _gazing_. _the beauty_ Or, _pleasantness_; not merely the outward beauty of the sanctuary and its worship, but the gracious kindliness of... [ Continue Reading ]
To be Jehovah's guest and live secure under His protection is the Psalmist's chief desire; and even now he confidently anticipates deliverance from his foes. Psalms 27:4 can hardly be understood literally of a lifelong residence in the Temple. Rather, as in Psalms 23:4-5; Psalms 15:1, Jehovah is tho... [ Continue Reading ]
For he shall conceal me in his pavilion in the day of trouble, He shall hide me in the hiding-place of his tent; Upon a rock shall he lift me up. He will be secured from danger as one who is sheltered from heat and storm, or safe from assault in some inaccessible rock fortress. Cp. Psalms 31:20;... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now_&c. In the immediate future he anticipates not protection only but triumphant victory. Cp. Psalms 3:3; Psalms 110:7. _in his tabernacle_ Lit. in his tent, as in the preceding verse. There it may simply mean _dwelling_, in a general figurative sense; but here in connexion with the offering... [ Continue Reading ]
_Have mercy_ Be gracious.... [ Continue Reading ]
The tone of the Psalm changes abruptly to plaintive and anxious supplication. God seems to be on the point of hiding His face.... [ Continue Reading ]
The A.V. gives the general sense fairly. But the text as it stands must be rendered: Unto thee my heart hath said: -Seek ye my face"; -Thy face, Jehovah, will I seek." In prayer from his innermost heart the Psalmist pleads the invitation which Jehovah addresses to His people, _Seek ye my face_; a... [ Continue Reading ]
Hide not thy face from me (R.V.). A prayer grounded on the divine promise which he has obeyed. Cp. Psalms 22:14. _put not_&c. Or, _turn not_, like the unjust judge who turns the needy from his right (Job 24:4; Isaiah 10:2; Luke 18:1 ff.). _in anger_ See note on Psalms 6:1. _thou hast been my help... [ Continue Reading ]
_When my father_&c. Or, as R.V., For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but &c. A proverbial expression. (Comp. - _bereavement_to my soul," Psalms 35:12). Though he is friendless and forsaken as a deserted child, Jehovah will adopt him and care for him. His love is stronger than that of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 5:8; Psalms 25:12. In the course of life designed for him by God he will be safe. He prays that it may be like a path along a level open plain, free from pitfalls and places where enemies may lurk in ambush. _Plain_is the same word as _even_in Psalms 26:12; and _mine enemies_means literal... [ Continue Reading ]
_enemies_ R.V., adversaries, as in Psalms 27:2. _false witnesses_ Slanderous calumniators are meant, rather than actual witnesses in court. Cp. Psalms 35:11; Proverbs 6:19. _such as breathe out cruelty_ Bent on injuring him by their talk. For the phrase cp. Acts 9:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
The word for _unless_is marked with dots in the Massoretic text as probably spurious. Omitting it, we may render; I believe that I shall see &c. If it is retained, the construction is an aposiopesis: O! had I not believed &c.; or an apodosis may be supplied, as in A.V. _to see_ The construction... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist addresses himself, and encourages himself to patience. His faith rebukes his faintness. _Be of good courage_ R.V., Be strong, and let thine heart take courage. Cp. Psalms 31:24; Deuteronomy 31:7; Joshua 1:6-7; Joshua 1:9; Joshua 1:18. _Wait, I say_ R.V., Yea, wait thou. Cp. Psalms 25:3... [ Continue Reading ]