Psalms 27:1

PSALM XXVII

The righteous man's confidence in God, 1-3;

his ardent desire to have the spiritual privilege of worshipping

God in his temple, because of the spiritual blessings which he

expects to enjoy there, 4-6;

his prayer to God for continual light and salvation, 7-9;

has confidence that, though even has own parents might forsake

him, yet God would not, 10.

Therefore he begs to be taught the right way to be delivered

from all his enemies, and to see the goodness of the Lord in

the land of the living, 11-13;

he exhorts others to trust in God; to be of good courage; and

to expect strength for their hearts, 14.

NOTES ON PSALM XXVII

In the Hebrew and Chaldee this Psalm has no other title than simply לדוד ledavid: To or For David. In the Syriac: "For David; on account of an infirmity which fell upon him." In the Vulgate, Septuagint, Arabic, and AEthiopic, it has this title: "A Psalm of David, before he was anointed." The Anglo-Saxon omits all the titles. For this title there is no authority in fact. However, it may be just necessary to state that David appears to have received the royal unction three times:

1. In Bethlehem from the hand of Samuel, in the house of his father Jesse; 1 Samuel 16:13.

2. At Hebron after the death of Saul, by the men of Judah; 2 Samuel 2:4.

3. By the elders of Israel, at Hebron, after the death of Ishbosheth, when he was acknowledged king over all the tribes; 2 Samuel 5:3.

At which of these anointings the Psalm was written, or whether before any of them, we know not; nor is the question to be decided. Some commentators say that it is a Psalm belonging to the captivity, and upon that system it may be well interpreted. And lastly, it has been contended that it was written by David after he had been in danger of losing his life by the hand of a gigantic Philistine, and must have perished had he not been succoured by Abishai; see the account 2 Samuel 21:17; and was counselled by his subjects not to go out to battle any more, lest he should extinguish the light of Israel. To these advisers he is supposed to make the following reply: -

Verse Psalms 27:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation] This light can never be extinguished by man; the Lord is my salvation, my safeguard, my shield, and my defence; of whom then should I be afraid?