1 A Psalm of David himself. To you, Lord, I will cry out. My God, do not be silent toward me. For if you remain silent toward me, I will become like those who descend into the pit.
Hebrews · AD 69 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.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 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?
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 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.
2 Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, when I pray to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy temple.
Diodorus of Tarsus · AD 390 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…
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "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.
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "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.
3 Do not draw me away together with sinners; and let me not perish with those who work iniquity, who speak peacefully to their neighbor, yet evils are in their hearts.
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 You see steadfastness and vigor of the soul that keeps the commandments of God and has the confidence of uncreated liberty.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "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.
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "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.
4 Give to them according to their works and according to the wickedness of their inventions. Assign to them according to the works of their hands. Repay them with their own retribution.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "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.
Bede · AD 735 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.
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "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.
5 Since they have not understood the works of the Lord and the works of his hands, you will destroy them, and you will not build them up.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "For He has hidden me in His tabernacle in the day of my evils" [Psalm 27:5]. For He has hidden me in the dispensation of His Incarnate Word in the time of temptations, to which my mortal life is exposed. "He has protected me in the secret place of His tabernacle." He has protected me, with the heart believing unto righteousness.
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "On a rock." Here he proposes another benefit of promotion to good, and it is twofold. One of exaltation with regard to himself.
6 Blessed is the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication.
Diodorus of Tarsus · AD 390 God takes more satisfaction in the praise in these sacrifices than in the slaughter of animals.
Bede · AD 735 The Lord Christ is the head of all the saints, in himself always remaining equal and indivisible, to be sure, but distributing the grace of his Spirit to each one of those who are elect, according to their capacity for receiving.
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "I went around." Here the recompense for the benefit is presented; and he sets forth two things. First, sacrifice, and "he offered." Second, a canticle. According to Jerome, it is connected with the preceding: "above my enemies, and they are round about us." "I went around," that is, I stood about offering devout prayers for them: Ps.
7 The Lord is my helper and my protector. In him, my heart has hoped and I have been helped. And my flesh has flourished again. And from my will, I shall confess to him.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Hear my voice, O Lord, wherewith I have cried unto You" [Psalm 27:7]. Hear, Lord, my interior voice, which with a strong intention I have addressed to Your ears. "Have mercy upon me, and hear me." Have mercy upon me, and hear me therein.
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "Hear." Above, the Psalmist presented his desire; here he bursts forth to seek the thing desired. And concerning this he does three things. First, he asks to be heard.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people and the protector of the salvation of his Christ.
Diodorus of Tarsus · AD 390 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.
Arnobius the Younger · AD 460 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…
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "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.
9 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance, and reign over them and exalt them, even unto eternity.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Turn not away Your face from me" [Psalm 27:9]: that I may find what I seek. "Turn not aside in anger from Your servant:" lest, while seeking You, I fall in with somewhat else. For what is more grievous than this punishment to one who loves and seeks the truth of Your countenance? "Be Thou my Helper." How shall I find it, if Thou help me not?
Thomas Aquinas · AD 1274 "My helper." Here he asks for divine help in things to be done before he comes to the face, lest he be impeded from the vision of the face. And first he presents the petition.