Wisdom & Poetry · Old Testament
Psalms 27
Confidence and prayer in the face of fear
General context
The speaker calls the Lord light, salvation and strength, expressing confidence even at the prospect of war. The speaker especially wants to remain near God, seeking God's house and face. The confident opening is followed by urgent requests for mercy, guidance and protection from false witnesses. The final call to wait on the Lord comes after those pleas for help. Trust and the need to keep asking for help both belong to this prayer.
Cited passages: Psalms 27:1, Psalms 27:3, Psalms 27:4, Psalms 27:7, Psalms 27:8, Psalms 27:9, Psalms 27:11, Psalms 27:12, Psalms 27:14
Psalms 27 (KJV)
1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the Lord, that 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 enquire in his temple.
5For 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 a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
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Historical context
The psalm pictures the threat of an army camping against the speaker and also mentions hostile witnesses. Its language also belongs to worship: the Lord's house, temple, tabernacle, sacrifices and singing. Those details place the desire for protection alongside a desire to worship and remain near God. The prayer does not name a particular battle or give a date. Its references to parents forsaking the speaker do not supply enough detail to reconstruct a family history.
Cited passages: Psalms 27:3, Psalms 27:4, Psalms 27:5, Psalms 27:6, Psalms 27:10, Psalms 27:12
Literary context
The opening questions about whom to fear introduce a declaration of trust. From verse 7, direct appeals to God become prominent: hear, answer, do not hide, teach and lead. Seeking is repeated in the desire for God's house in verse 4 and God's face in verse 8. Light, shelter and a rock give images for the protection being sought. Verse 14 repeats the call to wait on the Lord, closing a poem that has made room for both confidence and distress.
Cited passages: Psalms 27:1, Psalms 27:4, Psalms 27:5, Psalms 27:7, Psalms 27:8, Psalms 27:9, Psalms 27:11, Psalms 27:14
For reflection
Which lines show trust alongside a continuing need for help?
