Psalm 27 — In the Presence of God

A Psalm of David.

1 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?
2 When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh,
Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear:
Though war should rise against me,
Even then will I be confident.
4 One thing have I asked 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.
5 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me secretly in his pavilion:
In the covert of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
He shall lift me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me;
And I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice:
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face from me;
Put not thy servant away in anger:
Thou hast been my help;
Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD;
And lead me in a plain path,
Because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries:
For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD:
Be strong, and let thine heart take courage;
Yea, wait thou on the LORD.

David has great confidence in the opening of his psalm. He knows that by his God all fears are little to nothing at all. He does not blind his eyes to reality; he knows wars and battle arise, but with God on his side, he will survive.

His great request is to be with God: to dwell in God's house, to behold God's beauty, to inquire at God's temple. It is there - in God's pavilion and shadow - that protection from troubles and fear is found. He does not ask to be removed from evil, but to be within God when evil comes.

As the psalm ends we hear weariness in David's voice. The cares and difficulties in the world drain us - even with God's help. We need God's face to shine, because so many other faces grow dark. Parents leave or abandon us. Friends forsake us. Evil companions reveal themselves for what they truly are. What gave David strength at the beginning of the psalm does not fail. Rather, it is shown to be the only thing left. The only thing that keeps David alive and well is his God.

It is in this way that we must reach out to, find, and cling to God.