Psalms 27 · The Lantern

Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Christ's young soldier speaks, on his coming to the faith. "The Lord is my light, and my salvation: whom shall I fear?" [Psalm 27:1]. The Lord will give me both knowledge of Himself, and salvation: who shall take me from Him?

Having presented the prayer, the Psalmist here consequently speaks of the confidence conceived from prayer. And concerning this he does two things. First, he presents the confidence conceived.

When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.

Having referred to the victory in the introduction, he states these two clauses by way of narrative; lest he seem to be giving thanks needlessly, he introduces as well the reason for thanksgiving in the words "When some enemies assembled against me who were so fierce and unrelenting as even to take a piece of me, as it were, then in particular I clearly sensed God's help, with…

"Whilst the guilty approach unto me to eat up my flesh" [Psalm 27:2]. Whilst the guilty come near to recognise and insult me, that they may exalt themselves above me in my change for the better; that with their reviling tooth they may consume not me, but rather my fleshly desires.

"When the wicked draw near to me." And because it could be said that God is the illuminator even of enemies, therefore removing this he says that God resists them. And first he describes their attempt. Second, he presents the obstacle that befalls them, at "They themselves were weakened and fell." Concerning the first he does three things.

Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

You see steadfastness and vigor of the soul that keeps the commandments of God and has the confidence of uncreated liberty.

"If camps stand together against me, my heart will not fear." But if the multitude of gain-sayers conspire to stand together against me, my heart will not fear, so as to go over to their side. "If war rise up against me, in this will I trust" [Psalm 27:3]. If the persecution of this world arise against me, in this petition, which I am pondering, will I place my hope.

"If armies should stand." A man ought to have security in two respects. First, in the preparation of evils. Second, in their endurance, at "I shall rise up." He says therefore: the Lord is thus my light, because enemies fall before me.

One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

"One have I asked of the Lord, this will I require." For one petition have I asked the Lord, this will I require. "That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life" [Psalm 27:4]. That as long as I am in this life, no adversities may exclude me from the number of them who hold the unity and the truth of the Lord's faith throughout the world.

Let us strive with all our strength of soul to arrive there. Let us make our way there by the inward affection of our heart. Let us long [to arrive] there. Let us beg all together, and let us beg individually, of the Maker of that house, that we may dwell in his house all days of our life.

"One thing I have asked." Above, the Psalmist presented the confidence conceived from prayer; here, however, he presents the desire that arises from this confidence. And concerning this he does two things. First, he proposes the desire. Second, he assigns the cause of the desire, at "For he has hidden me." Concerning the first he does three things.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me.

My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

What is it that I am asking? For you not to keep silent if ever I sin as a human being or dismiss without concern my situation, leaving me unschooled in better ways. Instead, correct and reform me in a loving way.… Do not put me beyond your care.

In this place, the lover of God, not seeking any other type of purity but desiring the beauty of Christ alone, in those words which lovers are accustomed to say to those whom they love, cries out in the heart, "My heart says to you, as to your face, do not turn your face from me or turn away your servant in anger." I have done such things by which you, rightly angered, have tur…

"My heart has said to you." Here he presents the petitions. And first he asks for the vision of the divine face. Second, divine help, at "You are my helper." Third, direction on his way, at "Establish a law for me, O Lord." Concerning the first he shows that regarding the thing sought he has a great desire, both intimate, anxious, and constant.

Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.

"Appoint me a law, O Lord, in Your way" [Psalm 27:11]. For me then who am setting out toward You, and commenting so great a profession, of arriving at wisdom, from fear, appoint, O Lord, a law in Your way, lest in my wandering Your rule abandon me. "And direct me in the right path because of mine enemies." And direct me in the right way of its straits.

Give the law to me concerning your way, show what you wish, what you do not wish, what you love, what you hate. I will offend if I do not learn what I ought. And since my enemies are eager for nothing other except that I would offend you, I ask this, that you direct me on the right way on account of my enemies.

"Establish a law." Above, the Psalmist presented two petitions: the first was for the vision of the divine face; the second for the help of divine protection; here, however, he presents another petition for the direction of his way. And concerning this he does two things. First, he presents the petition.

Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

You do two things at the same time, making me better and not giving the foe an occasion for taunting or for thinking that they will be able to harm me against your will.

"Deliver me not up unto the souls of them that trouble me" [Psalm 27:12]. Suffer not them that trouble me to be satiated with my evils. "For unrighteous witnesses have risen up against me." For there have risen up against me they that speak falsely of me, to remove and call me back from You, as if I seek glory of men.

"Do not hand me over." Here he explains what has been said; and he says two things. First, he asks to be freed from the danger of enemies. Second, he shows that he has enemies, at "For they have risen up." He says therefore, "Do not hand me over to the souls of those who trouble me"; as if to say, I ask to be so directed on the way that I do not fall into the power of enemies.

Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

[The Holy Spirit] is called Comforter, because he comforts and encourages us and "helps our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself pleads for us with unutterable groanings," that is, clearly, to God.

Great and distinguished successes are brought to completion not without labors. No doubt it is necessary that for every good thing sweat must be caused first. And no wonder if we see that such occurs in great matters, since common and inferior ones are full of care and come to pass through labors.

"Wait for the Lord." Here he leads others to waiting, when he says, "Wait for the Lord": Is. 30: "Blessed are all who wait for him." And while you wait, have confidence in action; hence he says, "Act manfully," namely interiorly and exteriorly: Is.

Psalms27