The Righteous One’s Confident Assertion of Safety when Lonely amid Surrounding Foes

Many troubles befell David, as an individual and as the leader of a nation. Yet though they were many, he still had one overriding desire, and that is found in v. 4. Matthew Poole writes, “There I might delight myself in the contemplation of thy amiable and glorious majesty, and behold Thee in the ordinances of grace.” It is there we can seek His face as to direction and duty. In all our troubles, the best place is His pavilion.

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Jackson, Kilmarnock

Psalm 27

¹The LORD’s my light and saving health,
Who shall make me dismay’d?
My life’s strength is the LORD, of whom
Then shall I be afraid?

²When as mine enemies and foes,
Most wicked persons all,
To eat my flesh against me rose,
They stumbled and did fall.

³Against me though an host encamp,
My heart yet fearless is:
Though war against me rise, I will
Be confident in this.

⁴One thing I of the LORD desir’d,
And will seek to obtain,
That all days of my life I may
Within GOD’s house remain;

That I the beauty of the LORD
Behold may and admire,
And that I in his holy place
May rev’rently enquire.

⁵For he in his pavilion shall
Me hide in evil days;
In secret of his tent me hide,
And on a rock me raise.

⁶And now, ev’n at this present time,
Mine head shall lifted be
Above all those that are my foes,
And round encompass me:

Therefore unto his tabernacle
I’ll sacrifices bring
Of joyfulness; I’ll sing, yea, I
To GOD will praises sing.

⁷O LORD, give ear unto my voice,
When I do cry to thee;
Upon me also mercy have,
And do thou answer me.

⁸When thou didst say, Seek ye my face,
Then unto thee reply
Thus did my heart, above all things
Thy face, LORD, seek will I.

⁹Far from me hide not thou thy face;
Put not away from thee
Thy servant in thy wrath: thou hast
An helper been to me.

O God of my salvation,
Leave me not, nor forsake:
¹⁰Though me my parents both should leave,
The LORD will me up take.

¹¹O LORD, instruct me in thy way,
To me a leader be
In a plain path, because of those
That hatred bear to me.

¹²Give me not to mine en’mies’ will;
For witnesses that lie
Against me risen are, and such
As breathe out cruelty.

¹³I fainted had, unless that I
Believed had to see
The LORD’s own goodness in the land
Of them that living be.

¹⁴Wait on the LORD, and be thou strong,
And he shall strength afford
Unto thine heart; yea, do thou wait,
I say, upon the LORD.