How often it seems to us that the Lord does not hear us and does not answer our prayers! At such moments, we may succumb to temptation and cease standing before Him in prayer...
How often it seems to us that the Lord does not hear us and does not answer our prayers! At such moments, we may succumb to temptation and cease standing before Him in prayer, or we may intensify our prayer, continuing to believe that it will not go unheard.
Perhaps this psalm arose at one such moment: it is a plea that the Lord not remain silent. Yet even without hearing an answer, the psalmist believes that the Lord still heeds his supplications. He is grateful for this and certain that the Lord will not abandon him, and this gives him the strength to stand in prayer again and again.
Two words that are key to the psalm's final verse sound alike in the Russian translation: spasi, “save,” and pasi, “shepherd.” The plea for salvation, which the Lord alone can give, is joined to a plea for His guidance amid the hardships and trials of this world.
27 David declares his confidence in God, Psa 27:1-3.
His desire to be in the house of God, Psa 27:4-6.
He prays for light and salvation, Psa 27:7-12.
And exhorts others to wait upon God, Psa 27:13-14.
A psalm of David.
27:2 Light - My counsellor in all my difficulties, and my comforter and deliverer in all my distresses. Strength - The supporter and preserver of my life.
27:3 In this - That God is my light.
27:4 Dwell. etc - Have opportunity of constant attendance upon God.To behold - That there I may delight myself, in the contemplation of thy amiable and glorious majesty, and of thy infinite wisdom, holiness, justice, truth, and mercy.
27:5 The secret - In his tabernacle, into which mine enemies cannot come. He alludes to the ancient custom of offenders, who used to flee to the tabernacle or altar. Rock - A place high and inaccessible.
27:9 Away - From thy face or presence, or from the place of thy worship.
27:11 Because of - That I may neither fall into their hands by my folly, nor give them any occasion of triumphing over me.
27:13 The living - David was thus earnestly desirous of this mercy in this life, not because he placed his portion in these things; but because the truth and glory of God, were highly concerned in making good the promise of the kingdom to him.