Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Psalm 27

The Book of Psalms

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

PSALM 27

      1. light--is a common figure for comfort.
      strength--or, "stronghold"--affording security against all violence. The interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.

      2. eat. . . my flesh-- ( Job 19:22 Psa 14:4 ). The allusion to wild beasts illustrates their rapacity.
      they stumbled--"they" is emphatic; not I, but they were destroyed.

      3. In the greatest dangers.
      in this--that is, then, in such extremity.

      4, 5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God ( Psa 16:11 23:6 ), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7 ). There he is safe ( Psa 31:21 61:5 ). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.

      6. head be lifted up--I shall be placed beyond the reach of my enemies. Hence he avows his purpose of rendering joyful thank offerings.

      7. Still pressing need extorts prayer for help.
      cry with my voice--denotes earnestness. Other things equal, Christians in earnest pray audibly, even in secret.

      8. The meaning is clear, though the construction in a literal translation is obscure. The English Version supplies the implied clause. To seek God's face is to seek His favor ( Psa 105:4 ).

      9. Hide not, &c.-- ( Psa 4:6 22:24 ). Against rejection he pleads former mercy and love.

      10. In the extremity of earthly destitution ( Psa 31:11 38:11 ), God provides (compare Mat 25:35 ).

      11. thy way--of providence.
      a plain path-- ( Psa 26:12 ).
      enemies--literally, "watchers for my fall" ( Psa 5:8 ).

      12. will--literally, "soul," "desire" ( Psa 35:25 ).
      enemies--literally, "oppressors." Falsehood aids cruelty against him.
      breathe out--as being filled with it ( Act 9:1 ).

      13. The strong emotion is indicated by the incomplete sentence, for which the English Version supplies a proper clause; or, omitting that, and rendering, "yet I believed," &c., the contrast of his faith and his danger is expressed.
      to see--is to experience ( Psa 22:17 ).

      14. Wait, &c.--in confident expectation. The last clause is, literally, "and wait," &c., as if expecting new measures of help.