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Psalms 27:1
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Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In this first strophe is expressed the bold confidence of faith. It is a hexastich in the caesural schema. Let darkness break in upon him, the darkness of night, of trouble, and of spiritual conflict, yet Jahve is his Light, and if he is in Him, he is in the light and there shines upon him a sun, that sets not and knows no eclipse. This sublime, infinitely profound name for God, אורי, is found only in this passage; and there is only one other expression that can be compared with it. viz., בּא אורך in Isa 60:1; cf. φῶς ἐλήλυθα, Joh 12:46. ישׁעי does not stand beside אורי as an unfigurative, side by side with a figurative expression; for the statement that God is light, is not a metaphor. David calls Him his "salvation" in regard to everything that oppresses him, and the "stronghold (מעוז from עזז, with an unchangeable ) of his life" in regard to everything that exposes him to peril. In Jahve he conquers far and wide; in Him his life is hidden as it were behind a fortress built upon a rock (Psa 31:3). When to the wicked who come upon him in a hostile way (קרב על differing from קרב אל), he attributes the intention of devouring his flesh, they are conceived of as wild beasts. To eat up any one's flesh signifies, even in Job 19:22, the same as to pursue any one by evil speaking (in Aramaic by slander, back-biting) to his destruction. In בּקרב (the Shebג of the only faintly closed syllable is raised to a Chateph, as in ולשׁכני, Psa 31:12, לשׁאול, and the like. The לי of איבי לּי may, as also in Psa 25:2 (cf. Psa 144:2), be regarded as giving intensity to the notion of special, personal enmity; but a mere repetition of the subject (the enemy) without the repetition of their hostile purpose would be tame in the parallel member of the verse: לי is a variation of the preceding עלי, as in Lam 3:60. In the apodosis המּה כּשׁלוּ ונפלוּ, the overthrow of the enemy is regarded beforehand as an accomplished fact. The holy boldness and imperturbable repose are expressed in Psa 27:3 in the very rhythm. The thesis or downward movement in Psa 27:3 is spondaic: he does not allow himself to be disturbed; the thesis in Psa 27:3 is iambic: he can be bold. The rendering of Hitzig (as of Rashi): "in this do I trust, viz., that Jahve is my light, etc.," is erroneous. Such might be the interpretation, if בזאת אני בוטח closed Psa 27:2; but it cannot refer back over Psa 27:2 to Psa 27:1; and why should the poet have expressed himself thus materially, instead of saying ביהוה? The fact of the case is this, בוטח signifies even by itself "of good courage," e.g., Pro 11:15; and בזאת "in spite of this" (Coccejus: hoc non obstante), Lev 26:27, cf. Psa 78:32, begins the apodosis, at the head of which we expect to find an adversative conjunction.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?.... The Targum in the king of Spain's Bible explains it, "the Word of the Lord is my light"; and so Ainsworth cites it; that is, Christ the eternal Word, in whom "was life, and that life was the light of men", Joh 1:4; and the psalmist is not to be understood of the light of nature and reason, with which the Logos, or Word, enlightens every man that comes into the world; nor merely in a temporal sense, of giving him the light of prosperity, and delivering him from the darkness of adversity; but of the light of grace communicated to him by him who is the sun of righteousness, and the light of the world; and by whom such who are darkness itself, while in an unregenerate state, are made light, and see light; all the light which is given to men at first conversion is from Christ; and all the after communications and increase of it are from him; as well as all that spiritual joy, peace, and comfort they partake of, which light sometimes signifies, Psa 97:11; and which the psalmist now had an experience of; enjoying the light of God's countenance, and having discoveries of his love, which made him fearless of danger and enemies: and such who are made light in the Lord have no reason to be afraid of the prince of darkness; nor of the rulers of the darkness of this world; nor of all the darkness, distress, and persecutions they are the authors of; nor of the blackness of darkness reserved for ungodly men; for their light is an everlasting one, and they are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light: and the more light they have, the less fear; and what made the psalmist still more fearless was, that Christ was his "salvation"; by the light which the Lord was to him, he saw his need of salvation, he knew that his own righteousness would not save him; he was made acquainted with the design and appointment of the Lord, that Christ should be salvation to the ends of the earth; he had knowledge of the covenant of grace, and faith in it, which was all his salvation, Sa2 23:5. Salvation was revealed to the Old Testament saints, in the promises, sacrifices, types, and figures of that dispensation; and they looked through them to him for it, and were saved by him, as New Testament believers are; and they had faith of interest in Christ, and knew him to be their Saviour and Redeemer, as did Job, and here the psalmist David: and such who know Christ to be their salvation need not be afraid of any person or thing; not of sin, for though they fear, and should fear to commit it, they need not fear the damning power of it, for they are saved from it; nor of Satan, out of whose hands they are ransomed; nor of the world, which is overcome by Christ; nor of the last enemy, death, which is abolished by him; nor of hell, and wrath to come, for he has delivered them from it; the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? meaning not of his natural life, though he was the God of his life, who had given it to him, and had preserved it, and upheld his soul in it; but of his spiritual life: Christ is the author of spiritual life, he implants the principle of it in the hearts of his people, yea, he himself is that life; he lives in them, and is the support of their life; he is the tree of life, and the bread of life, by which it is maintained; and he is the security of it, it is bound up in the bundle of life with him, it is hid with Christ in God; and because he lives they live also; and he gives unto them eternal life, so that they have no reason to be afraid that they shall come short of heaven and happiness; nor need they fear them that kill the body and can do no more; nor any enemy whatever, who cannot reach their spiritual life, nor hurt that, nor hinder them of the enjoyment of eternal life.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We may observe here, I. With what a lively faith David triumphs in God, glories in his holy name, and in the interest he had in him. 1. The Lord is my light. David's subjects called him the light of Israel, Sa2 21:17. And he was indeed a burning and a shining light: but he owns that he shone, as the moon does, with a borrows light; what light God darted upon him reflected upon them: The Lord is my light. God is a light to his people, to show them the way when they are in doubt, to comfort and rejoice their hearts when they are in sorrow. It is in his light that they now walk on in their way, and in his light they hope to see light for ever. 2. "He is my salvation, in whom I am safe and by whom I shall be saved." 3. "He is the strength of my life, not only the protector of my exposed life, who keeps me from being slain, but the strength of my frail weak life, who keeps me from fainting, sinking, and dying away." God, who is a believer's light, is the strength of his life, not only by whom, but in whom, he lives and moves. In God therefore let us strengthen ourselves. II. With what an undaunted courage he triumphs over his enemies; no fortitude like that of faith. If God be for him, who can be against him? Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid? If Omnipotence be his guard, he has no cause to fear; if he knows it to be so, he has no disposition to fear. If God be his light, he fears no shades; if God be his salvation, he fears no colours. He triumphs over his enemies that were already routed, Psa 27:2. His enemies came upon him, to eat up his flesh, aiming at no less and assured of that, but they fell; not, "He smote them and they fell," but, "They stumbled and fell;" they were so confounded and weakened that they could not go on with their enterprise. Thus those that came to take Christ with a word's speaking were made to stagger and fall to the ground, Joh 18:6. The ruin of some of the enemies of God's people is an earnest of the complete conquest of them all. And therefore, these having fallen, he is fearless of the rest: "Though they be numerous, a host of them, - though they be daring and their attempts threatening, - though they encamp against me, an army against one man, - though they wage war upon me, yet my heart shall not fear." Hosts cannot hurt us if the Lord of hosts protect us. Nay, in this assurance that God is for me "I will be confident." Two things he will be confident of: - 1. That he shall be safe. "If God is my salvation, in the time of trouble he shall hide me; he shall set me out of danger and above the fear of it." God will not only find out a shelter for his people in distress (as he did Jer 36:26), but he will himself be their hiding-place, Psa 32:7. His providence will, it may be, keep them safe; at least his grace will make them easy. His name is the strong tower into which by faith they run, Pro 18:10. "He shall hide me, not in the strongholds of En-gedi (Sa1 23:29), but in the secret of his tabernacle." The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to hear prayer, the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his people - these are the secret of his tabernacle, and in these the saints find cause for that holy security and serenity of mind in which they dwell at ease. This sets them upon a rock which will not sink under them, but on which they find firm footing for their hopes; nay, it sets them up upon a rock on high, where the raging threatening billows of a stormy sea cannot touch them; it is a rock that is higher than we, Psa 61:2. 2. That he shall be victorious (Psa 27:6): "Now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies, not only so as that they cannot reach it with their darts, but so as that I shall be exalted to bear rule over them." David here, by faith in the promise of God, triumphs before the victory, and is as sure, not only of the laurel, but of the crown, as if it were already upon his head. III. With what a gracious earnestness he prays for a constant communion with God in holy ordinances, Psa 27:4. It greatly encouraged his confidence in God that he was conscious to himself of an entire affection to God and to his ordinances, and that he was in his element when in the way of his duty and in the way of increasing his acquaintance with him. If our hearts can witness for us that we delight in God above any creature, that may encourage us to depend upon him; for it is a sign we are of those whom he protects as his own. Or it may be taken thus: He desired to dwell in the house of the Lord that there he might be safe from the enemies that surrounded him. Finding himself surrounded by threatening hosts, he does not say, "One thing have I desired, in order to my safety, that I may have my army augmented to such a number," or that I may be master of such a city or such a castle, but "that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, and then I am well." Observe, 1. What it is he desires - to dwell in the house of the Lord. In the courts of God's house the priests had their lodgings, and David wished he had been one of them. Disdainfully as some look upon God's ministers, one of the greatest and best of kings that ever was would gladly have taken his lot, have taken his lodging, among them. Or, rather, he desires that he might duly and constantly attend on the public service of God, with other faithful Israelites, according as the duty of every day required. He longed to see an end of the wars in which he was now engaged, not that he might live at ease in his own palace, but that he might have leisure and liberty for a constant attendance in God's courts. Thus Hezekiah, a genuine son of David, wished for the recovery of his health, not that he might go up to the thrones of judgment, but that he might go up to the house of the Lord, Isa 38:22. Note, All God's children desire to dwell in God's house; where should they dwell else? Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, that turns aside to tarry but for a night, nor to dwell there for a time only, as the servant that abides not in the house for ever, but to dwell there all the days of their life; for there the Son abides ever. Do we hope that praising God will be the blessedness of our eternity? Surely them we ought to make it the business of our time. 2. How earnestly he covets this: "This is the one thing I have desired of the Lord and which I will seek after." If he were to ask but one thing of God, this should be it; for this he had at heart more than any thing. He desired it as a good thing; he desired it of the Lord as his gift and a token of his favour. And, having fixed his desire upon this as the one thing needful, he sought after it; he continued to pray for it, and contrived his affairs so as that he might have this liberty and opportunity. Note, Those that truly desire communion with God will set themselves with all diligence to seek after it, Pro 18:1. 3. What he had in his eye in it. He would dwell in God's house, not for the plenty of good entertainment that was there, in the feasts upon the sacrifices, nor for the music and good singing that were there, but to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple. He desired to attend in God's courts, (1.) That he might have the pleasure of meditating upon God. He knew something of the beauty of the Lord, the infinite and transcendent amiableness of the divine being and perfections; his holiness is his beauty (Psa 110:3), his goodness is his beauty, Zac 9:17. The harmony of all his attributes is the beauty of his nature. With an eye of faith and holy love we with pleasure behold this beauty, and observe more and more in it that is amiable, that is admirable. When with fixedness of thought, and a holy flame of devout affections, we contemplate God's glorious excellencies, and entertain ourselves with the tokens of his peculiar favour to us, this is that view of the beauty of the Lord which David here covets, and it is to be had in his ordinances, for there he manifests himself. (2.) That he might have the satisfaction of being instructed in his duty; for concerning this he would enquire in God's temple. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? For the sake of these two things he desired that one thing, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life; for blessed are those that do so; they will be still praising him (Psa 84:4), both in speaking to him and in hearing from him. Mary's sitting at Christ's feet to hear his word Christ calls the one thing needful, and the good part. 4. What advantage he promised himself by it. Could he but have a place in God's house, (1.) There he should be quiet and easy: there troubles would not find him, for he should be hid in secret; there troubles would not reach him, for he should be set on high, Psa 27:5. Joash, one of David's seed, was hidden in the house of the Lord six years, and there not only preserved from the sword, but reserved to the crown, Kg2 11:3. The temple was thought a safe place for Nehemiah to abscond in, Neh 6:10. The safety of believers however is not in the walls of the temple, but in the God of the temple and their comfort in communion with him. (2.) There he should be pleasant and cheerful: there he would offer sacrifices of joy, Psa 27:6. For God's work is its own wages. There he would sing, yea, he would sing praises to the Lord. Note, Whatever is the matter of our joy ought to be the matter of our praise; and, when we attend upon God in holy ordinances, we ought to be much in joy and praise. It is for the glory of our God that we should sing in his ways; and, whenever God lifts us up above our enemies, we ought to exalt him in our praises. Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph, Co2 2:14.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Ps 27 This psalm mixes two genres—a psalm of confidence (27:1-6) and an individual lament (27:7-14)—held together by the theme of longing for the Lord’s presence. The psalmist focuses on the Lord; his circumstances are secondary. The strength of the psalmist’s faith is expressed in his openness to the Lord’s instruction, timing, and priorities. 27:1-3 The psalmist acknowledges the Lord at the center of his life (27:1). Because of God’s presence, he engages his adversaries with confidence. They cannot intimidate him or penetrate his inner security. 27:1 Light expresses the Lord’s goodness (27:13; see 4:6; 23:6; 31:19; 38:10; 43:3; 56:13).
Psalms 27:1
The LORD Is My Salvation
1The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread? 2When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Fear of Rejection
By Carter Conlon4.6K55:40RejectionPSA 27:1ISA 41:10ISA 43:1MAT 10:31ROM 8:152TI 1:71JN 4:18In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining our confidence in God, especially during difficult times. He explains that God knows our struggles and will send ministers to deliver a powerful word that cuts deep into our hearts. The speaker also highlights the purpose of the Old Testament, which is to lead us to Jesus Christ and empower us to become the resurrected bride of Christ. He warns that the world will become darker and more distant from God, but the Church will shine brighter and become more like Jesus. The sermon concludes with the anticipation of the Father speaking the word to Jesus to go and gather his beloved bride, and the joyous shout that will follow.
His Light Shines
By Basilea Schlink2.2K01:01PSA 27:1PSA 30:5ISA 9:2JHN 8:12JHN 16:222CO 4:6
This sermon focuses on the darkness that may surround us during Christmas, whether in the world situation or in our personal relationships and hearts. It highlights the prophecy of Isaiah about the coming of Christ as a great light to those in darkness, emphasizing the hope and joy that Jesus brings. The message encourages looking to Jesus, the radiant sun, who draws us into His kingdom of light, where His light shines brightly and His joy surpasses all sorrows.
High Up in the Swiss Alps
By Basilea Schlink2.0K01:01PSA 27:1PSA 34:18MAT 5:14JHN 1:5JHN 8:12
This sermon draws a parallel between the cold, sunless, empty ice grotto in the Swiss Alps and our hearts, highlighting the need for Jesus, the little Christ child, to fill our emptiness with love and worship. It emphasizes that Jesus is like a constant sun that can illuminate even the darkest places in our hearts, bringing joy and comfort in times of sadness.
Receive a New Heart, Mind, and Nature
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.9K26:40New HeartPSA 27:1JHN 1:14ROM 3:101CO 2:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of receiving the word of God and allowing it to transform our lives. He encourages the audience to turn away from worldly idols and instead turn to the living and true God. The preacher highlights the power of God's word, stating that it not only brings assurance but also has the ability to heal and sanctify. He also discusses the contrast between the world's false promises of joy and the true joy found in following God's truth. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the future transformation that awaits believers, as their bodies will be fashioned like Christ's glorified body.
(The Word for Today) Isaiah 23:1 - Part 1
By Chuck Smith1.8K25:59ExpositionalPSA 27:1PRO 22:6ISA 23:1ISA 23:15MAT 6:33JHN 8:121PE 4:8The video begins by discussing the importance of family and the breakdown of the family unit in society. It introduces Pastor Chuck Smith's Marriage and Family Bible Study as a resource to help families maintain love and unity. The video then transitions to a prayer, emphasizing the need to focus on eternal values and treasures in heaven. It concludes by mentioning Pastor Chuck's ongoing study through the book of Isaiah and the hope and light that comes from walking in the light of Jesus Christ.
Spurgeon a New Biography #2
By C.H. Spurgeon1.8K1:33:19PSA 27:1MAT 6:33JHN 3:16ROM 8:28EPH 2:8HEB 13:8JAS 1:17I apologize, but I am unable to watch videos or access specific content. However, if you provide me with a transcript or any written information from the video, I would be more than happy to help summarize it for you.
The Pursuit of God
By Stephen Olford1.7K33:09Seeking GodPSA 27:1PSA 27:3MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pursuing God in a world that is becoming increasingly materialistic and losing sight of spiritual things. He highlights the decline in church attendance and the need for a revival of religion. The speaker encourages the audience to be people of one desire, to cultivate the art of being focused on God alone. He emphasizes the need for contemplation and beholding the beauty of the Lord, urging the audience to spend time in quiet contemplation and to seek after God diligently.
The Devouring Fire
By Chuck Smith1.6K33:18Character Of GodGEN 1:1PSA 23:1PSA 27:1ISA 33:14MAT 6:33REV 21:1In this sermon, the speaker explores the concept of being consumed or molded by the fiery trials we face in life. He references Isaiah 33:15, which describes the qualities of those who will dwell in safety and see the king in his beauty. The speaker also uses the analogy of a devastating fire in the Lake Hughes area to illustrate the power and inevitability of God's presence. He emphasizes that while some may perish in the fire, God's love for humanity is demonstrated through the sending of Jesus Christ to save us from destruction. The sermon concludes by highlighting the transformative and purifying nature of God's fire in our lives.
Behold the Beauty of the Lord
By Joshua Daniel1.5K25:59NEH 1:6PSA 27:1PSA 27:4DAN 9:5MAT 16:241CO 1:18GAL 2:20PHP 2:81PE 2:24
This sermon delves into the profound words of King David in Psalms 27, emphasizing the singular desire to dwell in the presence of the Lord and behold His beauty. It challenges the audience to seek true beauty found in the enduring sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, contrasting it with the moral decay and fraudulent activities witnessed in society. The call to embrace a crucified life, reflecting the beauty of the Lord through holiness and humility, is central to the message.
K-498 Resurrection Life (2 of 2)
By Art Katz1.4K43:18Resurrection LifePSA 27:1JHN 15:4ROM 6:14ROM 8:2GAL 2:20COL 1:271JN 3:6In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that Jesus is not just a one-time Savior, but a continual Savior from sin. The speaker highlights the importance of searching one's heart to understand sin and how to bring it to Jesus. They express gratitude for Jesus being a Savior from sin and emphasize that having Jesus as the life principle is incompatible with sin. The preacher also discusses the concept of union with Jesus through baptism, stating that because Jesus is in us, he continues to save us from sin. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that sin is driven out and kept out through the continual presence of Jesus in our lives.
God Manifest in the Flesh
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.1K19:51IncarnationJOS 1:8PSA 1:2PSA 27:1PRO 2:3ROM 10:17GAL 3:24HEB 13:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of truly knowing and experiencing Jesus Christ. He compares our relationship with Jesus to old spinster ladies who only play around on the piano without truly learning to play. The speaker encourages listeners to get acquainted with Jesus and recognize that He is the truth. He highlights the need to have faith in Christ and to spend more time in His presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. The sermon concludes with a declaration of victory and freedom in Christ.
A Light in the Darkness
By Ian Paisley1.1K55:25PSA 27:1PSA 112:4ISA 42:16JHN 1:5JHN 8:122CO 4:6EPH 5:81JN 1:5
This sermon emphasizes the theme of light in the darkness, highlighting the struggles faced by the upright, the dangers of apostasy, and the need for God's intervention and guidance. It traces historical events where God's light shone in times of darkness, leading to victories and the preservation of truth. The speaker reflects on the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church amidst opposition, celebrating God's faithfulness and the ongoing battle against apostasy.
What Can You Do?
By Jim Cymbala1.1K26:44DiscouragementPSA 11:4PSA 27:1PSA 37:3PSA 37:7PSA 56:3MAT 6:33ROM 10:11In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fear and uncertainty that many people feel in the current world, particularly in relation to issues such as terrorism and moral decay. He emphasizes the importance of not succumbing to hate and anger, but instead maintaining love and faith in difficult times. The speaker references a passage from the Bible where Jesus predicts that in the last days, the love of many will grow cold due to the difficult and lawless nature of the world. He encourages listeners to trust in the Lord and not in human institutions, as the Word of God is openly mocked in society today.
Pentecost Is Loving Jesus
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.0K24:23PentecostGEN 15:1PSA 27:1PSA 37:4MAT 5:20JHN 15:9EPH 3:16EPH 3:18In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being passionately devoted to Jesus and seeking to please Him. The speaker uses personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate how being in love with Jesus should lead to a desire for holiness and spiritual growth. The sermon also highlights the need to have a wide vision of the Church and the kingdom of God, understanding our purpose and what Jesus wants from us. The speaker encourages listeners to be rooted and grounded in love, knowing and experiencing the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
Something Is Wrong - Part 03 of 05
By Richard Owen Roberts9081:15:56Church ProblemsPSA 27:1MAT 5:3LUK 9:54LUK 9:62ACT 1:8ACT 2:4ACT 2:38In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God and how it can be both a blessing and a potential danger. He highlights the importance of experiencing God's power and love rather than getting caught up in theological debates. The preacher uses the example of Peter, who loved Jesus and was given power by God, but was rebuked when he tried to prevent Jesus from going to Calvary. The sermon concludes with a reflection on the simplicity and beauty of God's work in nature, using the image of a blind kitten nursing as a metaphor for our need to connect with God's resources.
Atlantic Lyman Ministry 05 Psalm 27;
By Robert Crawford89541:39Confidence In GodSeeking God's PresencePSA 27:1Robert Crawford emphasizes the profound truths found in Psalm 27, where David expresses his unwavering confidence in the Lord as his light and salvation amidst life's storms. He highlights the importance of seeking God's presence, the need for guidance in times of trouble, and the assurance that God will provide safety and strength. Crawford encourages believers to maintain their focus on the beauty of the Lord and to offer sacrifices of joy through praise, even in difficult circumstances. He concludes with a call to wait on the Lord, reminding the congregation of the strength and courage that comes from trusting in Him.
The Lord Is My Light
By Erlo Stegen87344:27Presence Of The Lord2SA 21:17PSA 27:1MAT 6:33JHN 4:14In this sermon, the speaker shares personal anecdotes and reflections on the preaching of the word of God. They mention a specific verse that came to mind and their desire to share it with their son-in-law. They also recount a story about a child refusing to eat a simple meal and the importance of gratitude for what God provides. The speaker then discusses the significance of the Lord being a light and salvation, referencing King David as the light of Israel. The sermon concludes with a mention of a missionary lady who shared a message of forgiveness and living by God's standards.
Five Stones - Part 2
By Bakht Singh82429:47FaithPSA 22:1PSA 23:1PSA 27:1PSA 34:8PSA 46:10PSA 71:17PSA 145:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing God and making Him known to all generations. He uses the example of David, who was chosen by God to be king despite his humble background as a shepherd. Through various trials and experiences, God prepared David to lead and conquer his enemies. The speaker encourages the audience to unlearn negative beliefs and experiences in order to be used by God. Ultimately, the message is about the eternal significance of knowing and proclaiming God's name.
Jesus Is Precious to Me; Worship
By Edwin H. Waldvogel77929:08WorshipPSA 22:3PSA 23:3PSA 27:1PSA 34:1PSA 34:3MAT 6:33HEB 12:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising and worshiping Jesus. They encourage the audience to open their hearts to Jesus and ask Him to restore their lost song of praise. The speaker shares their experience of feeling a darkness and then entering into the presence of Jesus, where they witnessed people loving and praising Him. They emphasize the power of praising God and how it can bring victory and change in our lives.
Remember the Lord
By Jim Cymbala65225:19RemembranceDEU 31:6JOS 1:9PSA 27:1PSA 56:3ISA 41:10In this sermon, the speaker encourages the audience to not be afraid and to remember the greatness and awesomeness of the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of fighting for one's family, home, and calling. The speaker acknowledges that when we work for God, the enemy will come with distractions and discouragement. He uses the example of Nehemiah from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament, who faced opposition while rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The sermon concludes with a reminder to remember the Lord's greatness, power, faithfulness, and track record.
John's Gospel - the Light of the World
By John Vissers63535:33Gospel Of JohnGEN 1:3PSA 27:1ISA 49:6JHN 8:12In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a little boy who couldn't remember his line during a performance. His mother, sitting in the front row, whispered his line to him, but he mistakenly said that his mother is the light of the world. The speaker then transitions to a story from the French Revolution, where political prisoners were kept in dark dungeons. One prisoner had a few pages from a Bible and would read them in the brief moments of light that entered the dungeon. The speaker relates these stories to the concept of Jesus being the light of the world, offering hope and guidance in the darkness of our lives.
One Look From the Lord!
By C.H. Spurgeon0Faith in ActionDivine EmpowermentJDG 6:14PSA 27:1ISA 41:10MAT 28:20ROM 8:311CO 15:58EPH 6:10PHP 4:132TI 1:7HEB 13:5C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the transformative power of the Lord's gaze in his sermon 'One Look From the Lord!', illustrating how God's look at Gideon turned his discouragement into courage. Spurgeon encourages believers to recognize that if their look to the Lord can save them, then the Lord's look at them can empower them for their tasks. He stresses the importance of acting in faith and strength, as God has equipped each believer for their mission. The call to 'Go' signifies that believers should not hesitate but trust in the strength given by God to fulfill their purpose. Ultimately, Spurgeon reassures that with God's command and empowerment, victory is assured in their endeavors.
Reluctant Servants
By Ed Wrather0EXO 3:11JDG 6:15EST 4:10EST 4:13PSA 27:1ISA 41:10MAT 10:28LUK 12:72TI 1:7Ed Wrather preaches about the reluctance of Moses, Gideon, and Esther to fulfill the call of God in their lives, despite being well-equipped and prepared by God for their missions. Moses, Gideon, and Esther all faced fear and reluctance due to the potential risks involved in obeying God's call, yet they were chosen and prepared by God for specific purposes. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own fears and hesitations in responding to God's call, urging them not to let embarrassment, financial concerns, or opposition from others hinder them from experiencing the blessings of obedience.
But God
By J. Frank Norris0GEN 50:20EXO 14:14PSA 27:1PSA 116:151CO 15:38EPH 2:4EPH 6:2PHP 2:9J. Frank Norris preaches on the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis, emphasizing how despite the evil intentions of others, God's ultimate plan prevails for good. He urges the congregation to meditate on the powerful phrase 'But God' which signifies divine intervention and sovereignty throughout the Bible. Norris highlights the three enemies of the soul: Sin, Defeat, and Death, and stresses the need for faith in overcoming life's challenges. Through Joseph's life journey of betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, the preacher illustrates how God's hand was always at work, turning defeat into victory and fulfilling His greater purpose.
Joshua Chapter 10 Timnath-Serah, or the City of the Sun
By A.B. Simpson0Abiding in ChristSpiritual InheritancePSA 16:11PSA 27:1ISA 60:19MAL 4:2JHN 8:12JHN 15:11ROM 8:372CO 4:6EPH 3:20PHP 4:19A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of Timnath-Serah, the city of the sun, as a metaphor for the highest spiritual inheritance available to believers. He highlights Joshua's selflessness in accepting his inheritance last, illustrating the joy and grace found in God's presence. The sermon explores themes of spiritual joy, divine light, and the importance of abiding in Christ, encouraging believers to dwell in the light of the Lord and experience His abundant grace and healing. Simpson calls for a life filled with the warmth of God's love and the power of His presence, urging listeners to claim their inheritance and build their lives in the city of the sun.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In this first strophe is expressed the bold confidence of faith. It is a hexastich in the caesural schema. Let darkness break in upon him, the darkness of night, of trouble, and of spiritual conflict, yet Jahve is his Light, and if he is in Him, he is in the light and there shines upon him a sun, that sets not and knows no eclipse. This sublime, infinitely profound name for God, אורי, is found only in this passage; and there is only one other expression that can be compared with it. viz., בּא אורך in Isa 60:1; cf. φῶς ἐλήλυθα, Joh 12:46. ישׁעי does not stand beside אורי as an unfigurative, side by side with a figurative expression; for the statement that God is light, is not a metaphor. David calls Him his "salvation" in regard to everything that oppresses him, and the "stronghold (מעוז from עזז, with an unchangeable ) of his life" in regard to everything that exposes him to peril. In Jahve he conquers far and wide; in Him his life is hidden as it were behind a fortress built upon a rock (Psa 31:3). When to the wicked who come upon him in a hostile way (קרב על differing from קרב אל), he attributes the intention of devouring his flesh, they are conceived of as wild beasts. To eat up any one's flesh signifies, even in Job 19:22, the same as to pursue any one by evil speaking (in Aramaic by slander, back-biting) to his destruction. In בּקרב (the Shebג of the only faintly closed syllable is raised to a Chateph, as in ולשׁכני, Psa 31:12, לשׁאול, and the like. The לי of איבי לּי may, as also in Psa 25:2 (cf. Psa 144:2), be regarded as giving intensity to the notion of special, personal enmity; but a mere repetition of the subject (the enemy) without the repetition of their hostile purpose would be tame in the parallel member of the verse: לי is a variation of the preceding עלי, as in Lam 3:60. In the apodosis המּה כּשׁלוּ ונפלוּ, the overthrow of the enemy is regarded beforehand as an accomplished fact. The holy boldness and imperturbable repose are expressed in Psa 27:3 in the very rhythm. The thesis or downward movement in Psa 27:3 is spondaic: he does not allow himself to be disturbed; the thesis in Psa 27:3 is iambic: he can be bold. The rendering of Hitzig (as of Rashi): "in this do I trust, viz., that Jahve is my light, etc.," is erroneous. Such might be the interpretation, if בזאת אני בוטח closed Psa 27:2; but it cannot refer back over Psa 27:2 to Psa 27:1; and why should the poet have expressed himself thus materially, instead of saying ביהוה? The fact of the case is this, בוטח signifies even by itself "of good courage," e.g., Pro 11:15; and בזאת "in spite of this" (Coccejus: hoc non obstante), Lev 26:27, cf. Psa 78:32, begins the apodosis, at the head of which we expect to find an adversative conjunction.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?.... The Targum in the king of Spain's Bible explains it, "the Word of the Lord is my light"; and so Ainsworth cites it; that is, Christ the eternal Word, in whom "was life, and that life was the light of men", Joh 1:4; and the psalmist is not to be understood of the light of nature and reason, with which the Logos, or Word, enlightens every man that comes into the world; nor merely in a temporal sense, of giving him the light of prosperity, and delivering him from the darkness of adversity; but of the light of grace communicated to him by him who is the sun of righteousness, and the light of the world; and by whom such who are darkness itself, while in an unregenerate state, are made light, and see light; all the light which is given to men at first conversion is from Christ; and all the after communications and increase of it are from him; as well as all that spiritual joy, peace, and comfort they partake of, which light sometimes signifies, Psa 97:11; and which the psalmist now had an experience of; enjoying the light of God's countenance, and having discoveries of his love, which made him fearless of danger and enemies: and such who are made light in the Lord have no reason to be afraid of the prince of darkness; nor of the rulers of the darkness of this world; nor of all the darkness, distress, and persecutions they are the authors of; nor of the blackness of darkness reserved for ungodly men; for their light is an everlasting one, and they are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light: and the more light they have, the less fear; and what made the psalmist still more fearless was, that Christ was his "salvation"; by the light which the Lord was to him, he saw his need of salvation, he knew that his own righteousness would not save him; he was made acquainted with the design and appointment of the Lord, that Christ should be salvation to the ends of the earth; he had knowledge of the covenant of grace, and faith in it, which was all his salvation, Sa2 23:5. Salvation was revealed to the Old Testament saints, in the promises, sacrifices, types, and figures of that dispensation; and they looked through them to him for it, and were saved by him, as New Testament believers are; and they had faith of interest in Christ, and knew him to be their Saviour and Redeemer, as did Job, and here the psalmist David: and such who know Christ to be their salvation need not be afraid of any person or thing; not of sin, for though they fear, and should fear to commit it, they need not fear the damning power of it, for they are saved from it; nor of Satan, out of whose hands they are ransomed; nor of the world, which is overcome by Christ; nor of the last enemy, death, which is abolished by him; nor of hell, and wrath to come, for he has delivered them from it; the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? meaning not of his natural life, though he was the God of his life, who had given it to him, and had preserved it, and upheld his soul in it; but of his spiritual life: Christ is the author of spiritual life, he implants the principle of it in the hearts of his people, yea, he himself is that life; he lives in them, and is the support of their life; he is the tree of life, and the bread of life, by which it is maintained; and he is the security of it, it is bound up in the bundle of life with him, it is hid with Christ in God; and because he lives they live also; and he gives unto them eternal life, so that they have no reason to be afraid that they shall come short of heaven and happiness; nor need they fear them that kill the body and can do no more; nor any enemy whatever, who cannot reach their spiritual life, nor hurt that, nor hinder them of the enjoyment of eternal life.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We may observe here, I. With what a lively faith David triumphs in God, glories in his holy name, and in the interest he had in him. 1. The Lord is my light. David's subjects called him the light of Israel, Sa2 21:17. And he was indeed a burning and a shining light: but he owns that he shone, as the moon does, with a borrows light; what light God darted upon him reflected upon them: The Lord is my light. God is a light to his people, to show them the way when they are in doubt, to comfort and rejoice their hearts when they are in sorrow. It is in his light that they now walk on in their way, and in his light they hope to see light for ever. 2. "He is my salvation, in whom I am safe and by whom I shall be saved." 3. "He is the strength of my life, not only the protector of my exposed life, who keeps me from being slain, but the strength of my frail weak life, who keeps me from fainting, sinking, and dying away." God, who is a believer's light, is the strength of his life, not only by whom, but in whom, he lives and moves. In God therefore let us strengthen ourselves. II. With what an undaunted courage he triumphs over his enemies; no fortitude like that of faith. If God be for him, who can be against him? Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid? If Omnipotence be his guard, he has no cause to fear; if he knows it to be so, he has no disposition to fear. If God be his light, he fears no shades; if God be his salvation, he fears no colours. He triumphs over his enemies that were already routed, Psa 27:2. His enemies came upon him, to eat up his flesh, aiming at no less and assured of that, but they fell; not, "He smote them and they fell," but, "They stumbled and fell;" they were so confounded and weakened that they could not go on with their enterprise. Thus those that came to take Christ with a word's speaking were made to stagger and fall to the ground, Joh 18:6. The ruin of some of the enemies of God's people is an earnest of the complete conquest of them all. And therefore, these having fallen, he is fearless of the rest: "Though they be numerous, a host of them, - though they be daring and their attempts threatening, - though they encamp against me, an army against one man, - though they wage war upon me, yet my heart shall not fear." Hosts cannot hurt us if the Lord of hosts protect us. Nay, in this assurance that God is for me "I will be confident." Two things he will be confident of: - 1. That he shall be safe. "If God is my salvation, in the time of trouble he shall hide me; he shall set me out of danger and above the fear of it." God will not only find out a shelter for his people in distress (as he did Jer 36:26), but he will himself be their hiding-place, Psa 32:7. His providence will, it may be, keep them safe; at least his grace will make them easy. His name is the strong tower into which by faith they run, Pro 18:10. "He shall hide me, not in the strongholds of En-gedi (Sa1 23:29), but in the secret of his tabernacle." The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to hear prayer, the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his people - these are the secret of his tabernacle, and in these the saints find cause for that holy security and serenity of mind in which they dwell at ease. This sets them upon a rock which will not sink under them, but on which they find firm footing for their hopes; nay, it sets them up upon a rock on high, where the raging threatening billows of a stormy sea cannot touch them; it is a rock that is higher than we, Psa 61:2. 2. That he shall be victorious (Psa 27:6): "Now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies, not only so as that they cannot reach it with their darts, but so as that I shall be exalted to bear rule over them." David here, by faith in the promise of God, triumphs before the victory, and is as sure, not only of the laurel, but of the crown, as if it were already upon his head. III. With what a gracious earnestness he prays for a constant communion with God in holy ordinances, Psa 27:4. It greatly encouraged his confidence in God that he was conscious to himself of an entire affection to God and to his ordinances, and that he was in his element when in the way of his duty and in the way of increasing his acquaintance with him. If our hearts can witness for us that we delight in God above any creature, that may encourage us to depend upon him; for it is a sign we are of those whom he protects as his own. Or it may be taken thus: He desired to dwell in the house of the Lord that there he might be safe from the enemies that surrounded him. Finding himself surrounded by threatening hosts, he does not say, "One thing have I desired, in order to my safety, that I may have my army augmented to such a number," or that I may be master of such a city or such a castle, but "that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, and then I am well." Observe, 1. What it is he desires - to dwell in the house of the Lord. In the courts of God's house the priests had their lodgings, and David wished he had been one of them. Disdainfully as some look upon God's ministers, one of the greatest and best of kings that ever was would gladly have taken his lot, have taken his lodging, among them. Or, rather, he desires that he might duly and constantly attend on the public service of God, with other faithful Israelites, according as the duty of every day required. He longed to see an end of the wars in which he was now engaged, not that he might live at ease in his own palace, but that he might have leisure and liberty for a constant attendance in God's courts. Thus Hezekiah, a genuine son of David, wished for the recovery of his health, not that he might go up to the thrones of judgment, but that he might go up to the house of the Lord, Isa 38:22. Note, All God's children desire to dwell in God's house; where should they dwell else? Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, that turns aside to tarry but for a night, nor to dwell there for a time only, as the servant that abides not in the house for ever, but to dwell there all the days of their life; for there the Son abides ever. Do we hope that praising God will be the blessedness of our eternity? Surely them we ought to make it the business of our time. 2. How earnestly he covets this: "This is the one thing I have desired of the Lord and which I will seek after." If he were to ask but one thing of God, this should be it; for this he had at heart more than any thing. He desired it as a good thing; he desired it of the Lord as his gift and a token of his favour. And, having fixed his desire upon this as the one thing needful, he sought after it; he continued to pray for it, and contrived his affairs so as that he might have this liberty and opportunity. Note, Those that truly desire communion with God will set themselves with all diligence to seek after it, Pro 18:1. 3. What he had in his eye in it. He would dwell in God's house, not for the plenty of good entertainment that was there, in the feasts upon the sacrifices, nor for the music and good singing that were there, but to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple. He desired to attend in God's courts, (1.) That he might have the pleasure of meditating upon God. He knew something of the beauty of the Lord, the infinite and transcendent amiableness of the divine being and perfections; his holiness is his beauty (Psa 110:3), his goodness is his beauty, Zac 9:17. The harmony of all his attributes is the beauty of his nature. With an eye of faith and holy love we with pleasure behold this beauty, and observe more and more in it that is amiable, that is admirable. When with fixedness of thought, and a holy flame of devout affections, we contemplate God's glorious excellencies, and entertain ourselves with the tokens of his peculiar favour to us, this is that view of the beauty of the Lord which David here covets, and it is to be had in his ordinances, for there he manifests himself. (2.) That he might have the satisfaction of being instructed in his duty; for concerning this he would enquire in God's temple. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? For the sake of these two things he desired that one thing, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life; for blessed are those that do so; they will be still praising him (Psa 84:4), both in speaking to him and in hearing from him. Mary's sitting at Christ's feet to hear his word Christ calls the one thing needful, and the good part. 4. What advantage he promised himself by it. Could he but have a place in God's house, (1.) There he should be quiet and easy: there troubles would not find him, for he should be hid in secret; there troubles would not reach him, for he should be set on high, Psa 27:5. Joash, one of David's seed, was hidden in the house of the Lord six years, and there not only preserved from the sword, but reserved to the crown, Kg2 11:3. The temple was thought a safe place for Nehemiah to abscond in, Neh 6:10. The safety of believers however is not in the walls of the temple, but in the God of the temple and their comfort in communion with him. (2.) There he should be pleasant and cheerful: there he would offer sacrifices of joy, Psa 27:6. For God's work is its own wages. There he would sing, yea, he would sing praises to the Lord. Note, Whatever is the matter of our joy ought to be the matter of our praise; and, when we attend upon God in holy ordinances, we ought to be much in joy and praise. It is for the glory of our God that we should sing in his ways; and, whenever God lifts us up above our enemies, we ought to exalt him in our praises. Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph, Co2 2:14.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Ps 27 This psalm mixes two genres—a psalm of confidence (27:1-6) and an individual lament (27:7-14)—held together by the theme of longing for the Lord’s presence. The psalmist focuses on the Lord; his circumstances are secondary. The strength of the psalmist’s faith is expressed in his openness to the Lord’s instruction, timing, and priorities. 27:1-3 The psalmist acknowledges the Lord at the center of his life (27:1). Because of God’s presence, he engages his adversaries with confidence. They cannot intimidate him or penetrate his inner security. 27:1 Light expresses the Lord’s goodness (27:13; see 4:6; 23:6; 31:19; 38:10; 43:3; 56:13).