Psalms 27:1

PSALM 27

SUNSHINE AND SHADOW

It is remarkable, really, how little men actually know about some of these wonderful psalms. No two writers whom we have consulted agree on the title for this psalm, but we like the one appended by Dr. George DeHoff.[1]

Speaking of titles, Adam Clarke wrote:

"In the Hebrew and Chaldee versions, the title is simply, `To or For David.' The Syriac has, `For David on Account of an Infirmity that Befell him'; the Vulgate, the LXX, the Arabic and Ethiopic entitle it, `A Psalm of David Before He was Anointed.'"[2]

The contrast between the first six verses and the last six is so pronounced that some writers have supposed that they were, perhaps, originally two separate psalms, later combined into one. Ash's analysis of the problem is as follows:

"Those who argue for two independent compositions, here joined, point to differences in tone, to the fact that trust usually follows rather than precedes lament, and to the fact that both parts are complete in themselves. Also, Psalms 27:1-6 address God in the third person, and Psalms 27:7-17 address God in the second person."

Those arguing for unity point to a concern for enemies in both sections (Psalms 27:2,3,6,11,12), and to affirmations of faith in Psalms 27:7-14 ... Some think the author rises to faith (in the first section) and then succumbs (temporarily) to despair in the second section, as humans usually do.[3]

As far as we are concerned, the resolution of the problem is beyond our reach; and the correct answer is not a prerequisite for understanding and appreciating the psalm.

The last sentence in the quotation from Ash, above, is perhaps the key to a decision in favor of the psalm's unity. Every Christian has experienced that swift transition from jubilation to fearful apprehension, and it is not unreasonable to suppose such a swift change on the part of the author here.

Besides that, as Maclaren asked, "Why may not the key change to a minor, and the voice remain the same? We find the same thing in Psalms 9 and Psalms 25; and we can understand the original author's passing in swift transition from one mood to another much better than we can understand some late editor's deliberately combining such contrasting passages."[4] Can we suppose that such "editors" never read God's prohibition that, "Thou shalt not yoke the ox with the ass?"

In harmony with this view we are aided in the acceptance of it by our distrust of all "editors" who are projected and called in by critics every time they want something changed.

Also, as our fellow-Houstonian, Kyle Yates, stated it, "The two elements that tie the two sections together are: (1) similar enemies; and (2) identical trust in God."[5] These similarities strongly indicate the unity of the psalm.

As for the occasion when it was written, no certain word is possible; but the time most frequently mentioned by the commentators is that of the rebellion of Absalom.

Psalms 27:1

"Jehovah is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

Jehovah is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?"

For the word "strength" the ASV margin has stronghold; thus God is here recognized as the Light, the Salvation, and the Stronghold (or fortress) of the believer. Martin Luther's great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is our God," is founded upon this passage. In Romans 8:31, we have the New Testament elaboration of what is taught here. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

"Jehovah is my light" (Psalms 27:1). Yes, indeed, before there could be life of any kind, there had to be light, which God not only created; but God himself is Light. Thus, when Jesus Christ said, "I am the Light of the world," it was equivalent in every way to an announcement of his Godhead.

One wonderful thing about light is that it automatically bears witness of itself. The Light of God shines in the faces of all mankind; and only, "The fool has said in his heart, `there is no God'" (Psalms 14:1).

"Jehovah is my salvation" (Psalms 27:1). Without God there is no salvation of any kind whatever. In his Son Jesus Christ, God's salvation is potentially available to all men, provided only that they shall consent to seek it upon the terms God himself has commanded. The apostle John summed up the whole business of salvation in a few words, "God gave unto us eternal life; and this life is in his Son" (1 John 5:11).