Blogging the Psalms

Blogging the Psalms -- Psalm 27

Psalm 27

What does it mean that God is our light? In the Bible, the light of God is God, the life of man, guidance, and truth. This psalm declares that God is our light. That is a great truth to affirm. But my favorite verse is “I would have fainted if I had not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Or as it’s translated in a more modern translation: “What would have happened to me if I had not thought I would see God’s goodness to me while I was still alive!”

This is a poem about war, warring, warfare, and enemies. It’s a psalm of waiting...waiting in the dark.

One of the larger imagery in Psalm 27 is that of warfare. The setting is reminiscient of a battlefield when darkness has fallen and a lone soldier scans the landscape and the many enemies surrounding him. 

It begins by declaring that God is the believer’s light and Saviour. What kind of light? Light against darkness, light against ignorance, light which is the life of a man. And salvation -- what kind of salvation? Salvation against the power, wisdom, snares, of the enemies who stalk us.

A host of enemies has encamped against the believer. Or War. But the heart of the believer -- which is where the enemies attack are aimed-- does not allow fear to enter or reside in it. The host of enemies could be like  swarm, small but many persistent harrowing troubles that pester, sting, and wear down the believer. Or the enemies could be larger more organized troubles.

Like  good soldier, the only psalmist’s only goal and aim is to live for his king.  As long as that is his treasure, nothing on earth can trouble him. God’s shadow, God’s pavillion, God’s presence is where the believer hides. In this secret place, one is safe and one gains power. It is as if one is now above the highest rock with a view of the entire battleground, with angels all around.  Because of this, the believer can only praise God. This is the greatest sacrifice -- the sacrifice of praise. 

The psalmist then directs the prayer to God. He asks to see God’s face, to understand God’s presence. He tells God that once God invited him to know him. (All people on earth have received some invitation to see God’s face at least once in their lives and some have accepted the invitation, some not.) David reminds the Lord that he heard God’s call in his spirit and he turned his mind and heart to seek God. Therefore God should now answer him. Indeed, the day will come when the believer will no longer have a father and a mother to take care of him and he will be all alone. He will need one to take care of him. As his parents taught him how to live in this world, God must now teach him how to understand and live in a truly spiritual way. The world is full of cruelty and it is wearying. 

Life is so wearying and the war against the typical human being --let alone the typical believer-- is so difficult that David cries out, “What would have happened to me if I had not believed I would see God’s goodness while I am alive?” Anyone can see God’s goodness after they have died and gone to heaven but who can see God’s miracles and deliverance while they are alive? Only those who know how to wait on God and to trust in his goodness and power.

1{A Psalm of David.} The 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 inquire 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.