SIH’s Think On These Things: Psalms 27 Introduction

   SIH’s Think On These Things: Psalms 27: Intro    
Our next devotional series will be coming from Psalms 27:…
1) [A Psalm] of David. 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? 2) When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3) Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident. 4) One [thing] have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5) For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6) And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7) Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8) [When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9) Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11) Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12) Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13) [I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.    

Introduction To This Psalm

Most people believe Psalms 27: was written by King David. David faced many trials, heartaches and opposition during the course of his life. It was certainly during one of these trying times that David wrote this Psalm. There are many who believe this Psalm was written when David was being hunted down by King Saul, others believe it was when David’s son, Absalom, sought his life.  Still others believe that other events in David’s life were occurring at the time that this Psalm was written.   There seems to be no certainty in this issue and from the context it is very difficult to come to any firm conclusion.  
This Psalm is divided into seven parts:

1. David’s confidence in the Lord (vs 1-3)
2. David’s desire of the Lord (vs 4-5)
3. David’s praise of the Lord (vs 6)
4. David’s request for God’s presence (vs 7-11)
5. David’s request for deliverance from his enemies (vs 12)
6. David’s motivation to persevere in the midst of his difficulties (vs 13)
7. David’s words of encouragement to others (vs 14)

  As we will see in our series, King David addresses many of the same issues that each and every one of us faces when we are in the midst of the most difficult situations of life. May the Lord honor this study in His Word, by granting to us the truths of this Psalm and their practical application to our life.  
EXPOSITION: “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?”
The very first section of our text gives to us the main theme that will run throughout this Psalm. With the Lord on our side, we can overcome any difficulty that we may face in life.  With Him, there is nothing to be feared as we live our life in the midst of a sin-sick world. In tomorrow’s devotional, we will begin to look at these verses in detail.  
APPLICATION: As I read through this Psalm, Romans 8:31-32 repeatedly came to my mind. As Christians, we can have the absolute assurance that our Lord will be with us and care for us, no matter what great hardships we may face. How can we know this? It is because He gave us His Son so that we might be redeemed…
“What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)  
Hebrews 13:5-6 then adds to this thought by reminding us of the key to ridding our lives of fear in the face of life’s struggles …
“…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:5b-6)
As those redeemed by His precious blood, may we all come to a greater appreciation of His presence in our lives and His constant, faithful watch care over our lives.  May we all enter into our new day with a spirit of boldness knowing that our Lord has given His all to us, and therefore, has proved to us He will always be with us and care for us no matter what our day may hold.  
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