June 11, 2024

Beautiful isn't the first word that comes to mind . . .

Psalm 27

Morgan Blackwell
Tuesday's Devo

June 11, 2024

Tuesday's Devo

June 11, 2024

Tuesday's Devo

June 11, 2024

Tuesday's Devo

June 11, 2024

Big Book Idea

Thinking and feeling God's way.

Key Verse | Psalm 27:4

One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 27

The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

1  The LORD is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold 1 27:1 Or refuge of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2  When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

3  Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet 2 27:3 Or in this I will be confident.

4  One thing have I asked of the LORD,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
    and to inquire 3 27:4 Or meditate in his temple.

5  For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

6  And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

7  Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8  You have said, “Seek 4 27:8 The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” 5 27:8 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
9      Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
10  For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the LORD will take me in.

11  Teach me your way, O LORD,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12  Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.

13  I believe that I shall look 6 27:13 Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look upon the goodness of the LORD
    in the land of the living!
14  Wait for the LORD;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the LORD!

Footnotes

[1] 27:1 Or refuge
[2] 27:3 Or in this
[3] 27:4 Or meditate
[4] 27:8 The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person
[5] 27:8 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
[6] 27:13 Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look
Table of Contents
Introduction to The Psalms

Introduction to The Psalms

Timeline

Author and Date

Individual psalms come from diverse periods of Israel’s history, but at every stage they served as the songbook of God’s people. David wrote about half of the Psalms. His role as king was more than that of a ruler. He was to represent and even embody the people, and their well-being was tied to his faithfulness. David, then, writes as a representative, and the readers must discern whether the emphasis of a psalm is more on his role as ruler or more on his role as ideal Israelite, in which he is an example for all. The historical occasions mentioned in the psalm titles help the reader see how faith applies to real-life situations.

Key Themes

The Psalter is fundamentally the hymnbook of God’s people. It takes the basic themes of OT theology and turns them into song:

  1. Monotheism. The one God, Maker and Ruler of all, will vindicate his goodness and justice in his own time. Everyone must know and love this God, whose purity, power, wisdom, faithfulness, and unceasing love are breathtakingly beautiful.
  2. Creation and fall. Though God made man with dignity and purpose, all people since the fall are beset with sins and weaknesses that only God’s grace can heal.
  3. Election and covenant. The one true God chose a people for himself and bound himself to them by his covenant. This covenant expressed God’s intention to save his people, and through them to bring light to the world.
  4. Covenant membership. In his covenant, God offers grace to his people: forgiveness of their sins, the shaping of their lives to reflect his own glory, and a part to play as light to the Gentiles. Each member of God’s people is responsible to believe God’s promises and to grow in obeying his commands. Those who do this enjoy the full benefits of God’s love and find delight in knowing him. The well-being of God’s people as a whole affects the well-being of each member. Each one shares the joys and sorrows of the others. When believers suffer, they should not seek revenge but should pray. They can be confident that God will make all things right in his own time.
  5. Eschatology. The story of God’s people is headed toward a glorious future, in which all kinds of people will come to know the Lord. The personal faithfulness of God’s people contributes to his ultimate purpose. The Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, will lead his people in the great task of bringing light to the Gentiles.

Types of Psalms

The Psalms can be identified according to some basic categories:

Laments, which lay a troubled situation before the Lord, asking him for help. There are community (Psalm 12) and individual (Psalm 13) laments. This category is the largest by far, including up to a third of all Psalms.

Hymns of praise, which call God’s people to admire his great attributes and deeds. Examples include Psalms 8; 93; and 145.

Hymns of thanksgiving. As with laments, there are community (Psalm 9) and individual (Psalm 30) thanksgiving psalms.

Hymns celebrating God’s law (Psalm 119).

Wisdom psalms (Psalms 1; 37), which reflect themes from the Wisdom Books (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon).

Songs of confidence, which enable worshipers to deepen their trust in God amid difficult circumstances (Psalm 23).

Royal psalms, which present the Davidic monarchy as the vehicle of blessing for God’s people. Some of these are prayers (Psalm 20), some are thanksgivings (Psalm 21). All relate to the Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, either by setting a pattern (Psalms 20–21) or by portraying the king’s reign in such a way that only the Messiah can completely fulfill it (Psalms 2; 72), or by focusing on the future (Psalm 110).

Historical psalms, which take lessons from the history of God’s dealings with his people (Psalm 78).

Prophetic hymns, which echo the Prophets, calling people to covenant faithfulness (Psalm 81).

Structure

The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.

Book 1 Psalms 1–41 Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26.
Book 2 Psalms 42–72 Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people.
Book 3 Psalms 73–89 The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88).
Book 4 Psalms 90–106 Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89.
Book 5 Psalms 107–150 The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134).
The Global Message of The Psalms

The Global Message of The Psalms

The Psalms are a resounding call for all God’s people and for all the world to sing! We are called to sing songs of confession and trust in God; to sing songs of thanksgiving and praise. The Psalms summon the global church to take up the cause of calling the world to join in such global and eternal songs of trust in, delight in, and worship of God for his magnificence—especially his magnificence displayed in his saving mercy.

Songs of Honest Lament

There is a surprising degree of honesty found in the prayers and songs of the Psalms. We find honest lament to God, with frequent repetition of questions such as “Why?” and “How long?” The psalmist asks in Psalm 42:9, “Why have you forgotten me?” Another psalm wonders, “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (10:1; see also 88:14). “How long, O LORD?” is a frequent cry to God in the Psalms (see 6:3; 13:1; 79:5; 89:46).

Such prayers flow from desperately challenging situations, in which life feels overwhelming. Yet they also reflect the confident expectations of our honest cries to our compassionate and faithful God. The Lord invites his people worldwide to be boldly transparent before him—no masks, no pretense—even when the heart is breaking. He promises never to abandon those who belong to him.

Songs of Repentance and Trust

Songs of repentance are scattered throughout the Psalms. In such songs there are confessions of corporate sin—“Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness” (Ps. 106:6)—and individual songs of penitence (Psalms 6; 25; 32; 38; 51; 130; 143). These are not hopeless laments, but cries to a God who is a gracious deliverer (6:4), who deals with us according to his great love and mercy (51:1), and whose forgiveness flows from his goodness and not ours (130:3–4).

There is abundant reason to trust such a God for every good thing and in every situation (Psalm 23). To such a God we turn in times of great trouble, when we are at an utter loss in this fallen world. When enemies surround us and there is no one to help, God is our hope for deliverance (Psalm 22). Whether the desperate individual (Psalm 13) or the destitute community (Psalm 12) is in view, God is faithful to his promises. His steadfast love endures. He is worthy of our songs!

Songs of Thanksgiving and Praise

The Psalms are a divinely orchestrated hymnbook of thanksgiving and praise for God’s people. The covenant people of God return thanks to God for his wonderful deeds of deliverance, justice, and defense (Psalm 9), and for his favor and mercies (30:5, 7, 8, 10). All of this moves his people to burst into songs of joy and glad dancing (30:11–12).

In the Psalms, the people of God rejoice in all that God is and all that he has done. These songs of praise exalt God for his unsearchable greatness, his glorious splendor, and his awesome deeds (Ps. 145:3–6). He is worshiped as the King over all creation (93:1),the eternal King (10:16), the King of glory (24:8, 10), the King of all the earth (47:7), and the great King above all gods (95:3).

The Global Message of the Psalms

For all God’s people. The global message of the Psalms is that in light of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness there is a song to be sung by all God’s people everywhere—whatever their circumstances, whatever their emotions, whatever their adversity. The song to be sung will be of varied themes: lament, confession, repentance, thanksgiving, or praise to God. All of these, however, are songs of worship, expressing the universal experiences of God’s people. This is worship of God by the individual and the community, local and global, young and old (Ps. 148:12), now and forever (89:52). For a lost world filled with rebellion and sorrow, there is no greater remedy than a song that brings those who sing it to take refuge in God himself: a song for the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the sojourner, the widow, and the fatherless (146:7–9).

A new song. The message of the Psalms is a call to the whole world to “Sing a new song!” “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!” (Ps. 96:1). This is not a song of empty promises, but a song full of hope, a song exulting in the salvation of a covenant keeping and merciful God; not a song that fades, but an enduring, eternal song; a song of a God who lifts us out of mud and mire (69:2, 14).

Celebrating salvation. The book of Psalms opens with a picture of the two ways of life—the blessed and fruitful life of the one who delights in God, and the fleeting life of the wicked who (apart from God) stand condemned (Psalm 1). The world is called to set aside folly and to join in the life and song of the Redeemer, celebrating the salvation that is rooted in the sacrifice of the Savior (Psalm 22). This new song has been sung down through the ages; it continues today throughout the world; and it will one day be sung in the very throne room of God (Rev. 14:3).

Summoning the Nations

To the ends of the earth. The global church has a message for the world: join in this song! It is a celebration that will generate further praise—globally, generationally, and eternally. The church is to “declare his glory among the nations!” (Ps. 96:3). From Israel to the Christian church today to the global kingdom that will one day be known to the very ends of the earth, the redeemed of the Lord will come from every nation, tribe, people, and language, giving God thanks and celebrating his grace (Rev. 7:9).

For all nations. There is a message for the nations: “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!” (Ps. 117:1). The Lord humbles the nations (9:5, 19, 20), but he extends to all an offer of mercy and grace. One day, the nations will become Christ’s inheritance (2:8). This song begins with us but it must not end with us. There is a glorious globalization of the worship of God that we are privileged to help advance. In Christ we have found fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (16:11). In turn we call the nations as well to be glad and sing for joy in him (67:4).

Fulfilled in Jesus. The love and mercy of God that forms the heart of the Psalms explodes onto history with the coming of Christ. It is in and through him that believers worldwide see God’s covenant faithfulness right before their eyes.

Spreading God’s glory. That glorious, global worship of God through Jesus Christ is not yet fully known or complete. Generating it is therefore our glad mission while on this earth. We will not rest till God’s glorious name is blessed forever and the whole earth is filled with his glory (Ps. 72:19).

Psalms Fact #3: How are the Psalms divided?

Fact: How are the Psalms divided?

How are the Psalms divided? The Psalms are divided into five books: 1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 107–150. Each book ends with a “doxology,” a hymn of praise to God.

Psalms Fact #4: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?

Fact: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?

What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God? The Psalms were the songbook of the people of God when they gathered for worship.

Psalms Fact #6: What is a psalm of lament?

Fact: What is a psalm of lament?

What is a psalm of lament? The main purpose of a psalm of lament is to tell the Lord about a difficult situation, to ask him for his help, and to praise him for helping. Some laments are community, congregational psalms. Others are individual, personal laments. One third of all the Psalms are psalms of lament.

Psalms Fact #7: How many of the Psalms were written by David?

Fact: How many of the Psalms were written by David?

How many of the Psalms were written by David? David is the author of about half of the Psalms. Other authors include Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and the sons of Korah.

Psalms Fact #9: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?

Fact: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?

What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel? The “enemies” mentioned in the Psalms (e.g., 18:17) were people hostile to the faith of God’s people. Sometimes they expressed their hatred by physically attacking the people of Israel, while other times they merely rejoiced when Israel faced misfortunes.

Psalms Fact #10: Are the Psalms poetry?

Fact: Are the Psalms poetry?

Are the Psalms poetry? The Psalms often reflect the feelings or emotions of the person who wrote the psalm. The book of Psalms includes poetry that covers all kinds of emotional feelings and experiences, from anguish and sorrow to great joy and thanksgiving.

Psalms Fact #12: How often does the NT quote from the Psalms?

Fact: How often does the NT quote from the Psalms?

How often does the NT quote from the Psalms? Of all the OT books, the Psalms and Isaiah are by far the two most widely quoted in the NT.

Psalms Fact #13: Selah

Fact: Selah

What does Selah mean? Although the word Selah is found 39 times in the book of Psalms, its exact meaning is uncertain. Most scholars believe it is a musical term or a term to be used by a worship leader, possibly to mark a pause.

Psalms Fact #20: Snares

Fact: Snares

Snares (38:12) were traps used to catch birds and animals. Some snares used ropes or nets that would be triggered as soon as the bait was touched. Pits disguised with sticks and leaves were also used as snares. In the Psalms, snares serve as symbols of danger or death at the hands of the wicked.

Psalms Fact #27: A helpful guide

Fact: A helpful guide

A helpful guide. The writers of the Psalms understood the importance of constant communication with God. They knew that God would hear their prayers, and they trusted him to act on their behalf. Believers today can benefit greatly by patterning their prayers after specific psalms.

Psalms Fact #28: Memorizing the Psalms

Fact: Memorizing the Psalms

Memorizing the Psalms. The poetic style of the Psalms make them easy to memorize. Throughout the centuries, many believers have memorized all 150 Psalms.

Psalms Fact #40: How long?

Fact: How long?

How long? This question (79:5) occurs nearly twenty times in the Psalms, more than any other question. It is almost always associated with a psalm of lament, such as Psalm 79.

Psalms Fact #14: House of the Lord

Fact: House of the Lord

The term house of the LORD (27:4) always refers to the temple, where God in OT times lived among his people.

Structure of Psalms

Structure of Psalms

The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.

Book 1 Psalms 1–41 Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26.
Book 2 Psalms 42–72 Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people.
Book 3 Psalms 73–89 The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88).
Book 4 Psalms 90–106 Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89.
Book 5 Psalms 107–150 The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134).
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

Romans 3 OT Reference
Sinful Condition
v. 10, none is righteous Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20
v. 11a, no one understands Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 11b, no one seeks for God Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one Ps. 14:3/53:3
Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips)
v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9)
v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips Ps. 140:3
v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness Ps. 10:7
Sinful Action
v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7
v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery Isa. 59:7
v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known Isa. 59:8
Summary Statement
v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes Ps. 36:1
Study Notes

Ps. 27:1–3 The terms fear and be afraid contrast with be confident. The faithful must learn to base their confidence on God’s ever-present protection (light, salvation, stronghold). This confidence grows through experiences of deliverance (as v. 2 shows).

Study Notes

Ps. 27:4 dwell in the house of the LORD. Compare 23:6. God’s beauty is what the faithful yearn to gaze upon (that is, to view with admiration and affection) as they seek him in worship (see 27:13).

Psalms Fact #14: House of the Lord

Fact: House of the Lord

The term house of the LORD (27:4) always refers to the temple, where God in OT times lived among his people.

Study Notes

Ps. 27:8 God addresses his words, Seek my face, to more than one person. The singer responds to the invitation. The seeking is done in the sanctuary (see. v. 4).

Study Notes

Ps. 27:13 The goodness of the LORD is probably his gracious character, as revealed by his actions (Ex. 33:19; 34:6–7). On the land of the living see Isa. 38:11; Jer. 11:19.

Study Notes

Psalm Ps. 27. In singing Psalm 27, God’s people have a way to express confidence in him and to respond to challenging life situations. The psalm describes a faithful person attacked by those who would destroy him. One who can trust God in those circumstances can trust him in other situations as well.

Ps. 27:14 To wait for the LORD is to look to him with dependence and trust, not passivity. This enables one to be strong and courageous (see Deut. 31:6).

S3:113 Psalm 27

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Psalm 27

Though we don't know for sure when David wrote this psalm, we know that David spent much of his life having Saul chase him, hiding in caves, and running for his life. Imagine him writing this psalm then. We don't see David praying for what he thinks he needs, but only for salvation, an eternity with the Lord. He writes, "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life . . . ." (Psalm 27:4) I don't know about you, but I probably would have thrown in a second prayer for a soft bed, a nice steak dinner, or a chance to stop having to run from Saul and his armies. But not David! David trusted God in everything, and his thoughts and prayers reflected that trust.

I love how simple David makes it—keeping our eyes fixed on eternity allows us to think and act more like the Lord in difficult situations and less like the world. When we lack this perspective, the world becomes our end-all-be-all. We start to trust what we think is right or easy or "smart" to bring us through trials, rather than seeking the Lord. But when we turn our eyes to heaven, knowing that Christ has already done the work on the cross to win every battle, we can walk confidently through life's trials assured that eternity with Him is waiting on the other side. All of a sudden, how we think and act starts to look more like Christ and less like this world. Perspective changes everything! 

David ends Psalm 27 in complete confidence that one day, he will "look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!" (Psalm 27:13) No wonder he wasn't fazed by a crazy king. He knew that anything the enemy threw at him here on earth would not interfere with his eternity with the Lord. May we also walk through life with this eternal perspective!

This month's memory verse

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

– Matthew 28:18-20

Discussion Questions

1. What is one thing you are facing that you need an eternal perspective on? A reminder that Christ has already won and will bring you through? 

2. If someone were to look back on the last week of your life, would they say that you think and act more like the world or more like the Lord? What is one thing you could do differently to start thinking and acting more like the Lord?

3. In what situations do you tend to trust in the world more than in the Lord? 

4. If someone asked you today what spending eternity with the Lord means, what would you say? Have you ever spent time exploring what the Bible says about eternity? Why or why not? What questions do you have about eternity and the work of Christ on the cross? 

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MS

Michael Scaman

Where have we heard “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever? Before? It was in Psalm 23. And we also heard “I will keep my eyes on the Lord” in Psalm 16. In some ways ideas from psalm 27 are reflections in part from Psalm 23 and Psalm 16. and perhaps going forward building up toward psalm 30 which some traditions have for the founding of the temple. With “ into thy hands I commit my Spirit” in the following Psalm 31 where Jesus work makes that possible. He longs to be in the house of God because of God He longs for deliverance He longs to gaze on the beauty of the LORD, look on God's face, and see God’s goodness. At the end of deliverance is God. God is the treasure. God told Moses no one can see his face and live but the singer longs to see God’s face. Is this like Jacob’s wrestling with God knowing only a small touch from his “foe” put his hip out of joint? Here if this Psalm as well as Psalm 105:4 there is a longing to see Gods face. The idea is maybe meant to stretch us. In some ways you can't in some ways you can? Jesus even promises “the pure will see God.” The speaker is single minded. There are three singly minded heart focused 'one thing verses in the bible. One thing I desire to see the beauty of the LORD here in Psalm 27:4 One thing I do forgetting what lies behind in Philippians 3:13-14 and one thing I know in John I was once blind but now I see. is in John 9:25 There seems to be structure to this flow. Ideas are pivoting around Psalm 25 and Psalm 19 "...false witnesses have risen against me,..." from both psalm 27 and 35 are applicable to Jesus trials as well as others like Stephen's in Acts 6 where false witnesses rode up against them. So if you want to think of a picture. and are a very visual person as some are. Carissa Quinn and others have some very good papers on the following: Psalm 15 ........Psalm 16 ...........Psalm 17 ................Psalm 18 ......................Psalm 19 Pivot ................Psalm 20,21 go together ..........Psalm 22 (see Psalm 28 also) .......Psalm 23 (see Psalm 27 also) Pslam 24 (see Psalm 26 also) A dangling SELAH following Psalm 24 connects it with Psalm 25. Now going forward, salvation is not mainly from physical danger but going forward in Psalms, salvation from sin starts to be more explicitly named. Psalm 25 acrostic on mercy (pivoting especially but not only around acrostic Psalms) Psalm 26 (matches 15 and 24) This is the most obvious match as if on done purpose to be easily noticed ..... Psalm 27 (matches (16 and 23) .......... Psalm 28 (matches (17 and 22 ) A question (some let this continue, maybe but its harder to match so lets stop here) If nothing else these may help memory recalling what Psalms are where. lots of ideas pivoting around certain Psalms, looking back to what was said before, preparing for what is coming up, It's just like it was planned !!!
MS

Michael Sisson

Re: Ps 27:5 Psalms 27:5 (NASB) For in the day of trouble >>>He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;<<< He will lift me up on a rock. See Col 3:3, Ps 91:1, Jn 14:2 SEASONAL NOTE: At sundown today (6/11/2024), Jews will begin observing Shavuot (the “Feast of Weeks,” sundown 6/11/24 - sundown 6/13/24 in the Diaspora), one of three “Feasts of Obligation” (Ex 23:14-17, Dt 16:16). The Feast of Weeks occurs >>>seven weeks<<< after Passover. Gentiles know Shavuot better as “Pentecost.” (Gk. for “fifty days”) Sadly, just as Christendom moved Easter off Passover, so Pentecost was moved off Shavuot. (See Emperor Constantine’s letter for the shameful reasoning behind that decision: https://tinyurl.com/EasterSchism) Sunday (5/19/24), Christendom celebrated Pentecost. The two events are synonymous. Shavuot (Pentecost) recalls the giving of the Torah at Sinai. How appropriate that G-d should choose the same occasion to “pour out” His Spirit (Acts 2, Isa 44:3, Ezk 39:29, Joel 2:28-29), through Whom He circumcises our hearts (Dt 10:16, 30:6; Jer 4:4, and Rom 2:29) and writes His Torah upon our hearts (Dt 17:18, Jer 31:31-33, Ezk 11:19, 36:26-27). By tradition, the Book of Ruth is read during Shavuot. As gentile believers in Yeshua (Jesus), let us be like Ruth and not like Orpah. Ruth 1:15-18 (ESV) 15 And she [Naomi] said, “See, your sister-in-law [Orpah] has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” >>>16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”<<< 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. For a deeper dive into Ruth and the lessons the Church can take from it, see this Obed Project article: http://www.theobedproject.org/?page_id=11 Readers of Acts 2 may wonder why Peter would reference King David in Acts 2:25-36. Interesting fact: Jewish tradition say David died on Shavuot Also, the Book of Jubilees places the first sighting of the rainbow at a time that later in Israel’s history would be known as Shavuot. For a deeper dive into Shavuot, read the following overview from Hebrew For Christians: https://hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Spring_Holidays/Shavuot/Zion/zion.html
GJ

greg jones

1 Samuel 25 Nabal (his name means fool) refused to pay David for not stealing his sheep and goats. If David would have prayed this prayer over himself, and, the people he saw himself as shepherding, 1 Samuel 25 would be a very weird chapter. As it is Abigail catches his eye and David’s character is revealed. He isn’t someone who can’t be reasoned after being disrespected. Abigail reasons with him and is able to add a few days to Nabal’s life and save the life of every man that worked for him. Although there’s no steak, bed, or rest from being chased in Psalm 27 there’s lamb chops, wives, and a day of chasing in Samuel. A lesser man probably would not have been able to pull off being king of a united Israel in that day, and, not encounter a coup of the month club for the rest of his reign. Good morning Morgan. I think I ran into you once. Do happen to run by Baskin Robbins on Saturdays?… Your comments on perspective and questions 2 & 3 really resonated with me. I think someone may have later written Psalm 27 as if written by David in full knowledge of the Samuel narratives to capture the power irony can have when writing to influence an audience. And I think the influence that was intended by this psalm was to inspire the audience it was written to receive the words in a way that changed a view of how and what leadership looks like. It is paving a way for an idea of servant leadership that we see fully displayed in Jesus in the NT. As you say “All of a sudden, how we think and act starts to look more like Christ and less like this world. Perspective changes everything!”
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Morgan. We all need to be encouraged to develop an eternal perspective! I loved reading v. 4 from our New Testament vantage point: "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life," David lived in a time when the Holy Spirit came to "visit" individuals, coming upon them for a limited time--and David experienced His presence and empowering more than most Old Testament individuals. In longing to DWELL in His house permanently, he was revealing his heart's desire for the kind of on-going, never-ending fellowship with God that we not only can enjoy but many of us take for granted in these New Testament times. We are not "visited" by the Holy Spirit, we are SEALED in Him! As in, think about a wire coat hanger (the believer) being welded to a steel beam (the Holy Spirit). It's even more than *dwelling* in God's house; we are drawn INTO Christ so completely that we are filled with Him. To switch metaphors, like a sponge submerged in a sinkful of soapy water. The sponge is IN the water, and the water is IN the sponge. We are in Christ, and He is in us. We "dwell" in the "house" of His heart, and He "dwells" in us! How marvelous! David couldn't even begin to dream that big, of the incredible privilege we have as Christ-followers.
JC

Jason Cromwell

My favorite Psalm, For a place that's supposed to be our Forever Home, we know very little about it. There are guesses, and a scant outline in Revelations. I look at it this way. There are people who want to know in advance what they are getting for Christmas. There are people who try to look at their gifts, without getting caught. Then there's the last camp, like me, who are happy to wait until Christmas Morning to find out. I'm happy to wait until that Glorious Day on down the road.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. An eternal perspective helps me with jobs and money. 2. People would say I reflected the world because I worked a lot. It’s always important to use the Lord’s guidance in everything to produce the best results. 3. Zero. 4. It would be fascinating. I would speak to the Lord, ask Him how He is, and discuss life with Him. Morgan - Thank you for sharing your ideas. I like your point, “We start to trust what we think is right or easy or "smart" to bring us through trials, rather than seeking the Lord”. Seeking the Lord is easy and smart. May we all seek the Lord every chance we can.