Psalm 27:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 27:1-6

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, 2 Sam. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:1

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", John 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:2

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me ,.... They are wicked men, men of malignant spirits, and evildoers, who are the enemies and foes of the people of God, and who hate them with an implacable hatred, and do everything they can to distress and afflict them; and such enemies David had, who were many and mighty; and these "came upon" him, or "approached against" him F3 בקרב עלי "cum appropinquaverint adversum me", Pagninus; so Gejerus. , they drew near to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:3

Though an host should encamp against me ,.... An host of the ungodly, as the Targum; though ever so many of them, even ten thousands of them, as in Psalm 3:6 ; should beset him on every side; my heart shall not fear ; for not only the angels of the Lord encamped about him, as they do about all that fear the Lord; but salvation was appointed for walls and bulwarks about him; yea, the Lord himself was a wall of fire around him, and he was kept as in a garrison by the power of God; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:4

One thing have I desired of the Lord ,.... Not to be returned to Saul's court; nor to his own house and family; nor to have an affluence of worldly riches and honours; but to have constant abode it, the house of the Lord; an opportunity of attending continually on the public worship of God; which is excused and neglected by many, and is a weariness to others, but was by the psalmist preferred to everything else; he being now deprived of it, as it seems; that will I seek after ; by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation - This light can never be extinguished by man; the Lord is my salvation, my safeguard, my shield, and my defense; of whom then should I be afraid? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:2

When the wicked - came upon me - Near as I appeared to you to be in danger of losing my life, I was safe enough in the hands of the Lord; and those who thought to have eaten me up, stumbled, failed of their purpose and fell; the Philistine lost his own life. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:3

Though a host should encamp against me - I am so confident of the Almighty's protection, that were I alone, and encompassed by a host, I would not fear. I am in the hand of God; and while in that hand, I am safe. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:4

One thing have I desired - If I am grown too old, and from that circumstance unable to serve my country, I shall then prefer a retirement to the tabernacle, there to serve God the rest of my days. There I shall behold his glory, and there I may inquire and get important answers respecting Israel. But though these words may be thus interpreted, on the above supposition, that David penned the Psalm on the occasion of his escape from the Philistine, and the desire expressed by his subjects... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 27:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:4

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

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