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Matthew Henry

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 27:4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:5

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion ,.... This, with what follows, is given as a reason why the psalmist desired to dwell in the house of the Lord; because he considered it as a pavilion or booth, as the word F8 בסכה "in tugurio suo", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis. signifies in which he should be hid by the Lord, in times of trouble and distress, either through the heat of persecution, or of inward anxiety of mind, caused by the... 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

Adam Clarke

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 27:4

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 27:1-6

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

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