Psalms 27:2-12

2 When evil-doers, mine adversaries and mine enemies, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 If a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; if war rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One [thing] have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah, and to inquire [of him] in his temple.

5 For in the day of evil he will hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tent will he keep me concealed: he will set me high upon a rock.

6 And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices of shouts of joy: I will sing, yea, I will sing psalms unto Jehovah.

7 Hear, Jehovah; with my voice do I call; be gracious unto me, and answer me.

8 My heart said for thee, Seek ye my face. Thy face, O Jehovah, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 For had my father and my mother forsaken me, then had Jehovah taken me up.

11 Teach me thy way, Jehovah, and lead me in an even path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over to the will of mine adversaries; for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence.

Psalms 27:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 27

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. The Septuagint interpreters add to this title, "before he was anointed". David was anointed three times, first when a youth in his father's house; but this psalm could not be written before that time, because he had not had then any experience of war, nor could be in any immediate apprehension of it, as here suggested; he was anointed a second time, after the death of Saul at Hebron, by the men of Judah; before that time indeed he had been harassed by Saul, and distressed by the Amalekites, and was driven from the public worship of God, to which he has a respect, Ps 27:4; and he was a third time anointed, by the elders of Israel, king over all Israel; and between the death of Saul and this unction there was a war between the house of David and the house of Saul; but what is referred to is not certain, nor is it of moment, since these words are neither in the Hebrew text, nor in the Chaldee paraphrase. Theodoret is of opinion this psalm was written by David when he fled from Saul, and came to Ahimelech the priest.

Footnotes

• [a]. See Notes, Ps. 8.2.
• [b]. Or 'graciousness,' and so in Ps. 90.17.
• [c]. Or 'For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but Jehovah hath gathered me.'
• [d]. Or 'those that lie in wait for me.'