Psalms 27-29

Thoughts

Psalm 27

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation. Of David.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

• David mentions enemies, armies, and war, but knows God is his stronghold. 

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.
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.
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.

• David’s “one thing” isn’t safety or victory, but God. 
• Worship (“shouts of joy”/“sacrifices”) is David’s natural response to being protected.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
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!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.

• Here we have a shift in tone in the psalm 
• God’s love transcends the bonds of a parent and child

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

• David wants guidance as much as deliverance.
• “Level path” is מִישׁוֹר (mishor) meaning straight not easy

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

• “Land of the living” means he expects to see God’s goodness now, not only in heaven.

Psalm 28

The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield. Of David.

To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

• Again, David fears God’s silence more than he fears his enemies.
• Down to the pit- reminds me of Joseph and Daniel. 
• The “most holy sanctuary” = wherever God’s presence dwelled 

Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.

• These people “speak peace” but hide evil 
• Judgment here is simply God giving people what they chose.

Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

• The prayer flips to praise
• trust → help → joy → thanksgiving.

The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

• “Anointed” foreshadowing the Messiah.

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord Glory. A Psalm of David.

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

• “Ascribe” = acknowledge what’s  true about God.
• “Heavenly beings” literally translates “sons of mighty ones” or angelic hosts.
• “glory” is kavod (כָּבוֹד): weight, significance.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

• David sees a thunderstorm is rolling in and compares it to God

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

• Cedars of Lebanon were the strongest, tallest trees and God’s voice breaks them.
• “Sirion” is another name for Mount Hermon 

The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

• “Flames of fire” could be lightning bolts.
• God’s voice isn’t tied to one place but it rolls across the whole land.

The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

• God’s power touches everything from gentle birth and forest destruction.
• “Makes the deer give birth”  a Hebrew expression of sudden fear or shaking (yecholēl, יְחוֹלֵל).

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

• “Flood” = mabbul (מַבּוּל) is same word used only for Noah’s flood.

Questions

Application

Psalm 27 is for the times when fear starts taking over. Remind yourself that God is your light and He brings clarity where fear brings confusion.

Psalm 28 is for times when you are tired of the silence. It’s okay to tell God, “If You don’t speak, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Psalm 29 is for times when life feels chaotic or out of control. David is watching a massive storm and remembering who really runs the universe. God’s voice is louder than any chaos.