Read Psalm 27
Of David.
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 the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on 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 sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, 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,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, 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,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain 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.
Go Deeper
Psalm 27 is marked by one word: confidence. This psalm, like many penned by David thus far, was written in a season of trouble. As we read it, it’s easy to empathize with that feeling David has—the world is caving in all around him. He experienced high highs and low lows and this is yet another chapter in David’s rollercoaster life. While this psalm has a lament in the middle, it begins and ends with the utmost confidence that the Lord is in control and that He is good. His faith is confident. He knew where his hope should be found.
Lament is common throughout the psalms, but this one reads differently. Instead of wallowing in his circumstances, David is asking God to help him stay focused. He asks for help keeping his gaze on the beauty of the Lord. He asks that God will keep him safe and be merciful towards him. Then towards the end, he asks that God will teach him His ways and lead him down a straight path. This feels relatable to us. Sometimes when life feels chaotic, our prayer should default to “God, please help me stay focused on what really matters” instead of “God, get me out of this (and the quicker the better).”
Reading this psalm as Christ followers brings to mind the words that the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:31-39. In that passage, Paul recounts several reasons for believers to be confident in God. He reminds his readers that God is for us, that He is gracious, that Christ Jesus is interceding for us, and that nothing (yes, nothing) can separate us from the love of God. Paul’s life had been radically transformed by the Gospel. He understood the weight of his sin and the undeserved gift of grace. He had experienced some of those same highs and lows that David had. He knew where his hope should be found, too.
The story of Scripture, from start to finish, shows us time and time again that our hope isn’t found in the things of this world, but instead in God alone. This psalm serves as a reminder that we can remain confident that we, too, will see the goodness of the Lord.
Questions
- Would those around you say your life is marked by confidence in God? Why or why not?
- Do you find yourself getting distracted and taking your eyes off of Jesus throughout the day? What’s one step you can take today to move towards refocusing your heart?
- Read Romans 8:31-39. Which verse sticks out to you the most? How can you hold true to those truths today?
Listen Here
Listen to the song “One Thing” by Charlie Hall, based on Psalm 27. Sing along with it throughout the day when you need to refocus yourself on the Lord!
5 responses to “Psalm 27”
“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mar 9:24)
We fear but trust, openly holding belief and doubt at the same time Seems like an oxymoron BUT GOD. He is our salvation, He is our protection, safety, and rescue from enemies.
I think of Jesus in the garden, He speaks of deep sorrow and asks for the cup to pass, yet submits to the Father’s will (Mat 26:38–39).I can’t imagine the sorrow he felt knowing what was coming and still be willing to die for me.
I feel anxious about what is ahead, yet still choose to trust God with what I cannot control. I feel uncertain about my future, yet remain committed to walking in faithfully with God today. I also feel the weight of suffering, yet continue to worship and give thanks. I wrestle with doubt, yet continue to believe and seek Him.
David is confident in God. The word “confidence” comes from the Latin con fide, meaning “with faith.” His confidence is not based on circumstances, but on faith in who God is and what He has done. I am also confident in who God is and what He has done.
God thank You for this day, with these minutes that are coming. God thank You for heflping me navigate them well. God when I waver in my doubt or distress, thank You that You always help me with some reminder of Your presences. God I am so grateful for Your word, as a road map to the details of all my days. God show me Your truth, let the scales fall from my eyes where I am inaccurate or wrong. Let us all have those scales fall off where You are concerned so we can all worship and honor You in truth and accuracy now in these minutes of this day and forever more. God You are the only one who knows, if I have fear or unbelief, help me to be where You are. God in my selfish self I love You more than I feel I can contain. God help me to be the hands and feet for You in these minutes of this day in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, holding both belief and doubt. Amen!
1 whom shall I fear?
To be so confident that you don’t even know who to fear . . . that’s incredible!
Chris Tomlin captures this passage so beautifully with his song, Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies):
https://youtu.be/jAZP_XsowOY?si=xW90lZJ9C6uLl0O9
As I read David’s lament, something inside of me slowly shifted. Each time I read the word “enemies” I substituted “Satan” the deceiver, as he is ultimately beyond all chaos and calamity. David reminds us where to run and what to remind ourselves of
when the enemy attacks—straight to the presence of the Lord. There we find true safety under the shelter of his wing and “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (v13).
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
God has acquitted us and has removed our sin and guilt, so it is Satan, not God who accuses us. Jesus stands at God’s right hand to present our case. He is our advocate. I put my trust in Jesus.