---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 27"
description: "PSALM 27   :-. With a general strain of confidence, hope, and joy,
especially in God"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/27"
---

PSALM 27

. With a general strain of confidence, hope, and joy,
especially in God's worship, in the midst of dangers, the Psalmist
introduces prayer for divine help and guidance.

**1. light**—is a common figure
for comfort.
**strength**—or,
"stronghold"—affording security against all violence. The
interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.

**2. eat . . . my flesh**—
([Job 19:22](../../../kjv/job/19/22); [Psalms 14:4](../../../kjv/psalms/14/4)).
The allusion to wild beasts illustrates their rapacity.
**they stumbled**—"they"
is emphatic; not *I,* but *they* were destroyed.

**3.** In the greatest dangers.
**in this**—that is, then,
in such extremity.

**4, 5.** The secret of his
confidence is his delight in communion with God ([Psalms 16:11](../../../kjv/psalms/16/11);
[Psalms 23:6](../../../kjv/psalms/23/6)), beholding the harmony
of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a
term applicable to the tabernacle (compare [Psalms 23:6](../../../kjv/psalms/23/6)). There he is safe ([Psalms 31:21](../../../kjv/psalms/31/21);
[Psalms 61:5](../../../kjv/psalms/61/5)). The figure is changed
in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.

**6. head be lifted up**—I shall
be placed beyond the reach of my enemies. Hence he avows his purpose
of rendering joyful thank offerings.

**7.** Still pressing need extorts
prayer for help.
**cry with my voice**—denotes
earnestness. Other things equal, Christians in earnest pray audibly,
even in secret.

**8.** The meaning is clear, though
the construction in a literal translation is obscure. The *English
Version* supplies the implied clause. To *seek God's face* is
to seek His favor ([Psalms 105:4](../../../kjv/psalms/105/4)).

**9. Hide not,** c.— ([Psalms 4:6](../../../kjv/psalms/4/6)
[Psalms 22:24](../../../kjv/psalms/22/24)). Against rejection he
pleads former mercy and love.

**10.** In the extremity of earthly
destitution ([Psalms 31:11](../../../kjv/psalms/31/11); [Psalms 38:11](../../../kjv/psalms/38/11)),
God provides (compare [Matthew 25:35](../../../kjv/matthew/25/35)).

**11. thy way**—of providence.
**a plain path**— ().
**enemies**—literally,
"watchers for my fall" ().

**12. will**—literally, "soul,"
"desire" ([Psalms 35:25](../../../kjv/psalms/35/25)).
**enemies**—literally,
"oppressors." Falsehood aids cruelty against him.
**breathe out**—as being
filled with it ([Acts 9:1](../../../kjv/acts/9/1)).

**13.** The strong emotion is
indicated by the incomplete sentence, for which the *English
Version* supplies a proper clause; or, omitting that, and
rendering, "*yet* I *believed,*" &c., the
contrast of his faith and his danger is expressed.
**to see**—is to experience
([Psalms 22:17](../../../kjv/psalms/22/17)).

**14. Wait,** &c.—in confident
expectation. The last clause is, literally, "and wait,"
&c., as if expecting new measures of help.

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