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Scott's Reference Library
Psalm 27:1 through Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-6
The Lord, who is the believer’s light, is the strength of his life; not only by
whom, but in whom he lives and moves. In God let us strengthen ourselves. The
gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to hear prayer,
the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his people; these are the secret of
his tabernacle, and in these the saints find cause for that holy security and
peace of mind in which they dwell at ease. The psalmist prays for constant
communion with God in holy ordinances. All God’s children desire to dwell in
their Father’s house. Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, to tarry but for
a night; or to dwell there for a time only, as the servant that abides not in
the house for ever; but to dwell there all the days of their life, as children
with a father. Do we hope that the praising of God will be the blessedness of
our eternity? Surely then we ought to make it the business of our time. This he
had at heart more than any thing. Whatever the Christian is as to this life, he
considers the favour and service of God as the one thing needful. This he
desires, prays for and seeks after, and in it he rejoices.
VERSES 7-14
Wherever the believer is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer.
God calls us by his Spirit, by his word, by his worship, and by special
providences, merciful and afflicting. When we are foolishly making court to
lying vanities, God is, in love to us, calling us to seek our own mercies in
him. The call is general, “Seek ye my face;” but we must apply it to ourselves,
“I will seek it.” The word does us no good, when we do not ourselves accept the
exhortation: a gracious heart readily answers to the call of a gracious God,
being made willing in the day of his power. The psalmist requests the favour of
the Lord; the continuance of his presence with him; the benefit of Divine
guidance, and the benefit of Divine protection. God’s time to help those that
trust in him, is, when all other helpers fail. He is a surer and better Friend
than earthly parents are, or can be. What was the belief which supported the
psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord. There is nothing like the
believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of
those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time
he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens. Let us look unto the
suffering Saviour, and pray in faith, not to be delivered into the hands of our
enemies. Let us encourage each other to wait on the Lord, with patient
expectation, and fervent prayer.