Psalm 27:1-5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:5

He shall hide me in his pavilion - בסכה besuccoh , in his tabernacle. I would make his temple my residence; I would dwell with God, and be in continual safety. Pavilion comes from papilio and παπιλιων , a butterfly. It signifies a tent made of cloth stretched out on poles, which in form resembles in some measure the insect above named. In the secret of his tabernacle - Were there no other place, he would put me in the holy of holies, so that an enemy would not dare to approach me. ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:1

Verse 1 1.Jehovah is my light. This commencement may be understood as meaning that David, having already experienced God’s mercy, publishes a testimony of his gratitude. But I rather incline to another meaning, namely, that, perceiving the conflict he had to wage with the sharpest temptations, he fortifies himself beforehand, and as it were brings together matter for confidence: for it is necessary that the saints earnestly wrestle with themselves to repel or subdue the doubts which the flesh... read more

John Calvin

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:5

Verse 5 5.For he shall hide me in his tent. Here the Psalmist promises himself that his prayer would not be in vain. Although he is deprived of the visible sanctuary for a time, he doubts not that, wherever he may be, he shall experience the protecting power of God. And he alludes to the temple, because it was a symbol to the faithful of the divine presence; as if he had said, that in making the request which he mentioned he by no means lost his labor; for every one who shall seek God... 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

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