Psalm 27:1-4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:2

Verse 2 2.When the wicked, etc. There is no reason for translating this sentence, as some interpreters do, into the future tense. (579) But while we retain the past tense which the prophet employs, the words may be explained in a twofold manner. The meaning but in the prophetic writings it is often used for the future. There does not, however, as Calvin remarks, appear to be any necessity for translating the verbs into the future tense in this passage, in which David may be considered as... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:3

Verse 3 3.Though armies should encamp. He infers from his former experience, as I have already mentioned, that whatever adversity may befall him, he ought to hope well, and to have no misgivings about the divine protection, which had been so effectually vouchsafed to him in his former need. He had asserted this, indeed, in the first verse, but now, upon farther proof of it, he repeats it. Under the terms, camps and armies, he includes whatever is most formidable in the world: as if he had said,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:4

Verse 4 4.One thing have I desired. Some consider this as a prophecy of the perpetuity of David’s kingdom, on which not only his own personal happiness depended, but also the happiness of his whole people; as if he had said, I am so well contented with this singular proof of God’s favor, that I can think on nothing else night and day. In my opinion, however, it appears a simpler interpretation to view the words as meaning, that although David was banished from his country, despoiled of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my Light (comp. John 1:7-9 ; John 12:35 , John 12:36 , John 12:46 ; 1 John 1:5 ). The statement does not occur in any other place in the Old Testament, though the idea may be found in Isaiah 60:1 , Isaiah 60:20 ; Micah 7:8 ; and elsewhere. Light has been well called "this profoundly beautiful name of God" (Delitzsch). And my Salvation (comp. Psalms 18:2 ; Psalms 62:2 , Psalms 62:6 ). Whom shall I fear? "If God be for us, who can be against us?" ( Romans... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:1

Jehovah's self-revelation, and faith's response thereto. There is no known character and career in Scripture that would correspond to this psalm as well as those of David. And it seems difficult to resist the conclusion that the words in Psalms 27:10 were written about the same time that those in 1 Samuel 22:3 were spoken. The objection of Delitzsch, that David left his father and mother, not they him, is of no weight; for either way his peril and exposure were such that he was left... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:1-6

Fearless, courage. I. THE SECRET OF A FEARLESS COURAGE . 1 . His experience of what God had been to Aim. "Light" in the darkest periods of his life. Light is a revealing power—for guidance. Salvation from his greatest dangers, temporal and spiritual "Strength," the power that had upheld his life when falling into weakness and despair. Experience confirmed and rewarded the faith which he had in God. When experience coincides with our faith, then we are at our strongest.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:1-13

True religion. True religion begins with God. It is a call on his part; it is a response on ours ( Psalms 27:8 ). With some religion is a chance, as settled by birth. With others it is a custom—something received by tradition from the fathers. With others it is a convenience, the result of education, a matter of prudence and self-interest, something necessary to respectability and comfort in the world. In all such cases there may be the form, but there cannot be the power, of godliness;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:1-14

For these reasons the psalm has been supposed to be "composite;" but the question arises—If the two parts, being so entirely unlike, were originally distinct and unconnected, what should have led any arranger or editor to unite them? To this question there seems to be no possible answer; and thus the very diversity of the two parts would seem to show an original union. According to the statement of the title, the psalm was written by David. It has many characteristics of his style, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:2

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. A special occasion seems to be intended, so that the LXX . have rightly, ἠσθένησαν καὶ ἔπεσαν . Some unrecorded event in the war with Absalom before the final struggle, is probably alluded to. There is an emphasis on " mine enemies," which implies that the adversaries were not the foes of the country, but David's personal foes. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:3

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. In the first burst of joy at his recent victory, the 'host" which remains unconquered seems of light account—let them advance—let them "encamp against him"—his heart will not be afraid; but when the joy has had full vent, there is a reaction; the enemies then appear more formidable, and God's aid is besought against them (see Psalms 27:9-12 ). Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident . "In this" may... read more

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