Psalms 27

A Psalm of David,.. ARGUMENT. A. Psalm composed by David, when he was, or had been lately, in some great distress. It is not easy to resolve, whether it were when ho was persecuted by Saul before he was crowned (as the LXX. now say, though Thcodoret could find no such thing in the Hcxaplus); or when he was forced to fly from Absalom; or, as some of the Jews think (which seems most probable, because it agrees very well with several passages in the Psalm), when, ip fight with the Philistines, he had engaged himself so far among the enemies, that he was in danger of being killed by a giant, if Abishai had not seasonably stcppcd # in and relieved him. This was in his declining years, when the same courage remained, but not the same strength, which he had in his youth. And therefore the people came and sware to him, saying, “Thou shalt go out no more with us to battle, that thou quench not the lamp of Israel,” (2 Sam. xxi. 17.) Vcr. 1. JL HE Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall J fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?] The Lord still bears a favour to me, and fills me with joy by his wonderful preservation of me. What enemy then is so terrible, that I should not dare to engage him? He defends my life in the most dangerous assaults; of whom then, though he be never so great a giant, should I stand in fear?

Psalms 27:2

Wlien the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and felt.". When malicious men, full of hatred and rage, made their approaches so near me, that they hoped, like so many savage beasts, to tear mo in pieces and devour me; they quite missed their aim, and fell down dead at my feet. Vcr. 3. Though a host should encamp against vie, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.] And therefore, though I should see myself besieged with a great army of enemies, it shall not dismay me; though I were to fight a battle with the most numerous forces, I shall not, after such a demonstration of God’s love and careful providence over me, despair of victory.

Psalms 27:4

One thing have I desired of the Lord, tltat will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.’] Not that I am greedy of glory and fame by such marvellous successes: no, I can stay at home, as my people desire me, (2 Sam. xxi. 17.) and give God thanks for what he hath done for me. Nothing in the world agrees so much with my desires: this is the only thing 1 have sought (even by my wars), and will still make the end of all my endeavours, that I may perpetually attend upon the service of God in the holy assemblies; and enjoy the sweet pleasure the Lord is pleased there to impart to his people, and receive directions from him when I wait upon him every morning in his tabernacle.

Psalms 27:5

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon aroik. For there I shall think myself as secure in troublesome times as if 1 was environed with the strongest bulwarks, or lay obscured in the most secret hiding-places: the most impregnable rock I should not take to bo a place of greater safety..Ver. 6. And now shall mine head be lifted tip above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I ivill sing praises unto the Lord.] And now I have felt the happy fruit of my love towards it; for the Lord hath given me a glorious victory, and made me triumph ove all my enemies on every side. For which cause I will go thither, and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving with the highest expressions of joy: I will compose songs of praise, and therein set forth the power and loving-kindness of the Lord. Vcr. 7. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.] On whom I still depend for my future preservation; beseeching thee, O Lord, to give mo a gracious audience: whensoever I address myself unto thee, shew then the kindness thou hast for me by granting my desire.

Psalms 27:8

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Which I do not presume to offer to thee without thy invitation; but have still thy own words in my mind whereby thou cxhortest us to come unto thee, saying. Seek ye my face: to which my heart answers, Behold, O Lord; in obedience to thy command, andby thy graciousmotion,Iwillnever cease to seckit.

Psalms 27:9

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: tltou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. And thou, I hope, will look favourably upon me; and not withdraw thy presence from me, when I beg thy protection or assistance. Do not then in anger reject my suits, because I am a sinner; but accept them because I am thy servant: whom in former times thou hast so often relieved, that from thence also I am emboldened to beseech thee not to desert mo, O Lord; but (as thou hast begun, so) continue to give me deliverance and safety. Vcr. 10. When my father and my mother forsake me, (lien the Lord will take me up.] The indulgence of my parents is not to be compared with thy most tender affection; but though they, and all the friends I have, should abandon me, I would hope the Lord w r ould take me into his care, and not suffer me to perish)

Psalms 27:11

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path; becattse of mine enemies. As I certainly shall, if thou leaves t me to myself. For, alas! I know not what course it is best for me to take for my safety: and therefore beseech thee to vouchsafe me thy direction; and enable me to walk so circumspectly and evenly, that they who narrowly pry into all my actions, and watch for my halting, may have no advantage against me. Vcr. 12. Deliver me not over tinto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.] Let not those have their will of me, who love to trouble me, and give me perpetual disturbance; as too many still do, notwithstanding all the wonderful things thou hast wrought for me. They cease not’ to calumniate and defame my government; and ho that heads them, and sets them on, speaks of open force and violence, if he had opportunity. Vcr. 13. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.] ( Good God! how had it been possible for mo to support myself under so many troubles and fears, which follow one upon another; if I had not firmly trusted in thee, that, notwithstanding the restless malice of my enemies, I shall enjoy thee, in a prosperous and happy condition, even here in this present life?