The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:1 – It was a time of danger and slander (see vers 12). David needed light so as to know what to do, and protection from enemies. He never dreamed he could make a light for himself out of the kindling of his own imagination, or ever thought his salvation was in his own strength or goodness. He always acknowledged God as the source of everything good. On “Light” see Psalms 18:28. On “Fear” see Psalms 23:4.
When the wicked, my enemies and my foes, came against me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Psalms 27:2
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:2 – See Romans 8:37; Ephesians 6:10-11. Believers now should have the same confidence in God against spiritual foes as David had against human foes.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear. Though war rise against me, in this I will be confident.
Psalms 27:3
One thing I have asked from the LORD; I will seek for this: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to see the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His “temple”. Psalms 27:4
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:4-6 – David was frequently away from God’s place of worship, in battle, in hiding from enemies, in other lands. He longed for the house of God, quiet meditation and worship in a place of peace and safety, the music and gladness of the tabernacle.
The Hebrew word translated “beauty” also means pleasantness, delightfulness. See also Psalms 90:17. There was no form of God in His place of worship, no idol, no image that men might think beautiful. David is speaking of the spiritual beauty that can be SEEN only with the eyes of faith.
For in the time of trouble He will hide me in His pavilion; He will hide me in the secret place of His tabernacle; He will set me high on a rock. Psalms 27:5
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:5 – If God keeps us, hides us in His shelter, and sets us on the rock (Himself – See Deuteronomy 32:4), then we are safe indeed, and will have cause for shouts of JOY and HAPPY singing to His name.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Psalms 27:6
Hear, O LORD, when I cry out with my voice, and have mercy on me, and answer me.
Psalms 27:7
When You Said, “seek My Face”, my heart said To You, “your face, Lord, I will seek”. Psalms 27:8
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:8 – The importance of seeking God’s face is everywhere emphasized in the Bible (see Psalms 105:4; Isaiah 45:19; 55:6-7; Hosea 10:12; Amos 5:6; Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 7:7 and Hebrew 11:6). God tells us to SEEK HIM because He desires to reveal Himself to those who seek, and He desires them to know that He is the source of true eternal life. His infinite fulfilling love throughout the sacrifice of His only begoten Son Jesus Christ is the most glorious fulfilling gift to receive, so that we may become to walk free without blame.
Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalms 27:9
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:9 – See Psalms13:1.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will receive me. Psalms 27:10
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:10 – See Psalms 68:5; Isaiah 49:15 and Hosea 14:3. The LORD will take on the job of both father and mother to believers who are forsaken of their earthly ones. And He will love and care for them as no human could ever do…
Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a STRAIGHT path, because of my enemies.
Psalms 27:11
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:11- See Psalms 25:5
“STRAIGHT”– the Hebrew does not mean “Plain” (KJV) in the sense of “Clear”, but “Level” or “Straight”.
Do not hand me over to the will of my enemies; for false witnesses have risen up against me, and those who breathe out violence. Psalms 27:12
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 27:12-14- What should a believer do when he is the object of lies and slander? PRAY (vers12), Trust God (vers 13), and hope in God for the future (vers 14). Faith comes by hearing, and hearing throughout the righteous Word of God.
Now faith is the assurance of things which are to be hoped, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Hebrews 11:1 – This is the only place in the Bible where faith is defined in words (many places show what it is by revealing it in action). Faith has to do with two areas or spheres – the future (for what we hope), and the unseen. God has made promises and given revelations concerning these two spheres. Faith believes these promises and relies on these revelations. This brings assurance to the heart. Faith is not a leap into the dark; it is a leap into the light. It is not wishful thinking; it is based on the powerful evidence of God’s true righteous fulfilling Word. True faith does not believe every idea about God that men may have, or everything that men think is God’s revelation. It believes the truth revealed in the Bible.
“Assurance”– the word also means “Substance” or “Essence” or “Nature” or “Confidence” but here “Assurance” seems best. The Greek is a combination of two words, one meaning “Under”, the other meaning “Standing”. In other words, faith is our fundamental foundation. What else is it that faith stands for? Here in Hebrews it is all that is hoped for in Christ. Faith is a true foundation for our hopes. Without faith we would have no right to hope and no good reason for hoping. And faith is a foundation, a quality, which enables us to stand under every kind of hardship, difficulty or suffering that could possibly destroy hope. Compare Romans 5:1-4
“Conviction”– or “Evidence” or “Proving” or “Exposing” – the Greek word may mean any of these. The verb is used in John 3:20; 16:8; 1 Corinthians 14:24 and Ephesians 5:11, 13. Faith is a conviction that the unseen things the Bible speaks of actually exist. In a way, it brings them to light, enables the unseen to be “Seen”. Compare Hebrews 11:27 and Corinthians 4:18.
For by it the forefathers obtained a good commendation. Hebrews 11:2
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Hebrews 11:2 “forefathers”– here means the people of God who lived in ancient times. God commended them for their faith. The commendation was this: out of the whole human race they alone were on the right road, believed the one true God, were righteous before God. We have a part of that commendation in this chapter. From God’s point of view the history of mankind is a history of those who believed Him. Faith and what it accomplished is what really matters, for that is what will last forever; all else passes away (see 1 John 2:17).
Through faith we understand that the worlds were created by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Hebrews 11:3 – Observe that faith is not contrary to understanding or reason – faith gives understanding. It is like the eye which lets in the light. Believers know how the universe came into being because God has revealed it. They need not speculate about its origin as unbelievers do. God spoke and creation began Hallelujah Hallelujah! (See Genesis 1:1, 3, 6, 9; Psalms 33:6; Isaiah 40:26; 42:5; John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16).
I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalms 27:13
Wait on the LORD. Be courageous, and he will strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord. Psalms 27:14
But those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary, and they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Isaiah 40:31 – For a holy walk in a fallen world, for strength to finish our earthly course with joy, for ability to serve God acceptably, we need a strength not our own. We must learn to exchange our poor and frail strength for the strength that our almighty God gives (Isaiah 40:28-29 and in Ephesians 1:18-21. What great strength is available to believers in Jesus Christ). This can be done only by looking to Him in faith. We must learn to trust our Lord Jesus Christ to do for us and in us what we cannot do for and in ourselves. Another great encouraging scripture we can find in Matthew 11:28-30.
“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Take my yoke on you, and learn from me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Matthew 11:28-29 – Now Jesus speaks of how He reveals the Father and to whom. He reveals the Father to those who feel their burden (especially the weight of their sins) and come to Him, to those who are willing to be united to Him, to those who will humbly, meekly learn what He has to teach. Such people, and only such, will come to the knowledge of the one true God. And see what He promises – rest, a rest from self-effort, vain seeking, and the burdens of an empty sinful life without hope. This is not rest from troubles, but rest in troubles. Compare John 16:33.
Take my yoke on you, and learn from me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.Matthew 11:30
Note and Biblical Scripture References on Matthew 11:30 – Compare 1 John 5:3. Trust, obedience and love, and His presence with us are what make His yoke easy and His burden light. Compare Acts 15:10 which speaks of the rules and regulations of the law. Yoked to Christ we find freedom and liberation and peace. His yoke is grace, not law. It is His strength and power, not self-effort on our part. Meekly learning from Him we come to more and more knowledge of God. Christ is both teacher and lesson. To be yoked to Christ is to be joined to one of perfect understanding and kindness and grace and love. How can it be burdensome?
Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings through Jesus Christ, our almighty, dear caring Saviour and Redeemer, In who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive, throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirt.
