dwell, &c. Compare Psalms 23:6 . beauty = pleasantness, delightfulness. enquire = contemplate with admiration. temple = palace. Used generally of heaven, but also of the holy place (Greek. naos). read more
"One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after:That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of Jehovah,And to inquire in his temple.""That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life" (Psalms 27:4). The psalmist's great desire was to "Dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life." This of course is like the last line of the Shepherd Psalm, a strong indication of Davidic authorship. Significantly, Dahood's comment... read more
Psalms 27:4. The beauty of the Lord— i.e. The cheering countenance of God, whose presence was more conspicuously manifested in his temple. read more
4, 5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psalms 16:11; Psalms 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psalms 23:6- :). There he is safe (Psalms 31:21; Psalms 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same. read more
Psalms 27Many of the psalms begin with a lament and end in trust. This one begins with trust, then sinks into a lament, and finally rises again to confidence in God. Themes in common with the preceding psalm include God’s tabernacle, dependence on the Lord, and hope in divine deliverance. This may be a royal psalm with features of a lament psalm. [Note: J. H. Eaton, Psalms, pp. 85-86; idem, Kingship and the Psalms, pp. 39-40.] read more
The greatest gift that God could give David would be the privilege of spending his time contemplating and reflecting on the wonderful features of his God. [Note: See Lewis, pp. 44-53.] The psalmist could achieve this well in Israel near the ark of the covenant, where God localized His presence in a special sense. There the priests read and studied the Mosaic Law and worshipped God with prayers and songs. The temple in view here was not Solomon’s since Solomon had not yet built it. It was... read more
2. The source of security 27:4-6 read more
This Ps. falls naturally into two parts, Psalms 27:1-6 and Psalms 27:7-14, which are in such marked contrast as to make it probable that here, as in Psalms 19, two independent poems have been combined. The one breathes a spirit of fearless and triumphant confidence in the face of hostile armies, while the other, though trustful, is the prayer of one in deep distress, orphaned and beset by false accusers. The warlike tone of Psalms 27:1-6 is in favour of ascribing them to David, and Psalms... read more
(4) To behold the beauty.—Literally, to see into the favour—i.e., to meditate on the graciousness of God.To enquire . . .—Literally, to look into, either judicially or critically; here, “to ponder or meditate” Ewald, however, and others add with notion of pleasure, “refresh myself,” but on doubtful authority. Some Rabbis, connecting bâkar with boker, the morning, render, “to attend in the morning,” while some commentators would entirely spiritualise the wish, as if the actual attendance on the... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:1-14
Psalms 26-28 Living uprightlyDavid appeals to God to support him against those who plot evil against him. God has done a work of grace in his life, and this causes him to hate the company of worthless people and make every effort to live the sort of life that pleases God (26:1-5). He desires righteousness, delights in worship, loves to spend hours in the house of God and enjoys telling others about God (6-8). He therefore asks that he will not suffer the same end as the wicked (9-10). Though... read more