Psalm 27:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 27:7-14

David in these verses expresses, I. His desire towards God, in many petitions. If he cannot now go up to the house of the Lord, yet, wherever he is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. 1. He humbly bespeaks, because he firmly believes he shall have, a gracious audience: ?Hear, O Lord, when I cry, not only with my heart, but, as one in earnest, with my voice too.? He bespeaks also an answer of peace, which he expects, not from his own merit, but God's goodness: Have mercy upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 27:8

When thou saidst , seek ye my face ,.... To seek the face of the Lord is to attend his house and ordinances, where he grants his presence; and with this view to enjoy his gracious presence, and the light of his countenance, not being content with bare attendance without it; it is to seek the Lord himself, and communion with him through Christ, the brightness of his glory, and the Angel of his presence; for the right way of seeking the Lord is in Christ, who is the way of access to him, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:8

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face - How much labor and skill have been employed to make sense of this verse as it stands in our translation! The original words are the following, from which our Version has been forcibly extracted: - אבקש יהוה פניך את פני בקשו לבי אמר לך lecha amar libbi bakkeshu panai ; eth paneycha , Yehovah , abakkesh ; of which I believe the true rendering to be as follows: "Unto thee, my heart, he hath said, Seek ye my face. Thy face, O Jehovah, I will seek.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 27:8

Verse 8 8.My heart said to thee. The change of person in the verbs has occasioned a variety of interpretations of this verse. But whoever closely examines David’s design will perceive that the text runs perfectly well. As it becomes us not rashly to rush into the presence of God, until he first calls us, David first tells us, that he carefully considered how gently and sweetly God prevents his people, by spontaneously inviting them to seek his face; and then, recovering his cheerfulness, he... 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 27:7-12

Strengthened in God. "While strengthening himself in God (in the former part of the psalm), he is, perhaps, seized by some sudden fear lest he should be forsaken, or be overcome by the craft or malice of his enemies. Till now the danger which threatens him is as prominent an object as the salvation and defence were before." He earnestly prays now for that in which he had just boasted. And these are the grounds on which he bases the prayer. I. HE HAD DIVINE WARRANT . The tenor... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:7-14

The strain now entirely changes. The rhythm alters from a jubilant double beat to a slow and mournful cadence. A cry is raised for mercy and pity—the wrath of God is deprecated—rejection and desertion are contemplated and prayed against ( Psalms 27:7-10 ). The danger from the enemy appears great and formidable ( Psalms 27:11 , Psalms 27:12 ). With an effort of faith, the writer just saves himself from despair ( Psalms 27:14 ), and then, in brave words, braces himself up for further... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:8

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek . The order of the words in the original is as follows: "To thee said my heart—Seek ye my face—thy face, Lord, will I seek." And the full meaning seems to he, "To thee said my heart—Hast thou said unto men, Seek ye my face? I for one will obey thee—Thy face, Lord, will I seek." The command, "Seek ye my face," had been given by David to the people on the day that he set up the ark upon Mount Zion ( 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 27:8

The believing heart's obedience to God's command. "When thou saidst," etc. If we were to translate strictly word for word, we should read this verse, "To thee said my heart—Seek ye my face—thy face, Jehovah,! will seek." Our translators (and Revisers) have wisely preferred plain English to pedantic rigour, and have given as the probable meaning, "When thou saidst," etc. This, says Calvin, is a dialogue between the believing heart and God. He likens the Divine invitation, "Seek ye my face,"... read more

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