The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Fearless, courage.

I. THE SECRET OF A FEARLESS COURAGE.

1. His experience of what God had been to Aim. "Light" in the darkest periods of his life. Light is a revealing power—for guidance. Salvation from his greatest dangers, temporal and spiritual "Strength," the power that had upheld his life when falling into weakness and despair. Experience confirmed and rewarded the faith which he had in God. When experience coincides with our faith, then we are at our strongest. But faith must always live above experience.

2. His experience of his enemies. Their most furious and savage onsets had been baffled. This also was of God. And the explanation was—they were wicked, and he was righteous. This thought was fundamental to his faith—that God would not permit the evil to triumph over the good. His experience of this in the past gave him confidence for the future (Psalms 27:2, Psalms 27:3). Our past victories should inspire us for the future.

II. HOW A FEARLESS COURAGE MAY BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED.

1. By fellowship with God. Beholding his beauty or goodness, and meditating upon it. The heart and mind must be fed and strengthened by constant converse with God in worship and holy thought.

2. Frequent seclusion is the best way to strengthen ourselves for conflict. (Psalms 27:5.) "In time of trouble, he shall hide me, and set me up upon a rock;" i.e. shut out from man, and shut in with God, is the way to conquer trouble and prepare for danger.

3. Thankful worship is another help. (Psalms 27:6.) "Sacrifices of joy," or "shouting," "singing praises,"—all mean grateful exercises of the heart towards God, recounting to ourselves what he has done for us in his wonderful goodness. Courage, hopefulness, must be fed with joy, and not with sadness and sorrow.—S.

More for Psalms 27:1-6

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 27:1-6Psalms 27:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe Lord, who is the believer's light, is the strength of his life; not only by whom, but in whom he lives and moves. In God let us strengthen ourselves. The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readine…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-14Psalms 27:1-14 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS psalm is one of those which have been called "composite"; and certainly it falls into two parts which offer the strongest possible contrast the one to the other. Part 1. (Psalms 27:1-6) is altogether joy…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1Psalms 27:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord is my Light (comp. John 1:7-9; John 12:35, John 12:36, John 12:46; 1 John 1:5). The statement does not occur in any other place in the Old Testament, though the idea may be found in Isaiah 60:1, Isaiah 60:20; M…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-16Psalms 27:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryJehovah's self-revelation, and faith's response thereto. There is no known character and career in Scripture that would correspond to this psalm as well as those of David. And it seems difficult to resist the conclusion…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-13Psalms 27:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryTrue religion. True religion begins with God. It is a call on his part; it is a response on ours (Psalms 27:8). With some religion is a chance, as settled by birth. With others it is a custom—something received by tradi…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 27:1-6The Lord, who is the believer's light, is the strength of his life; not only by whom, but in whom he lives and moves. In God let us strengthen ourselves. The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readine…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-13True religion. True religion begins with God. It is a call on his part; it is a response on ours (Psalms 27:8). With some religion is a chance, as settled by birth. With others it is a custom—something received by tradi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-16Jehovah's self-revelation, and faith's response thereto. There is no known character and career in Scripture that would correspond to this psalm as well as those of David. And it seems difficult to resist the conclusion…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1-14EXPOSITION THIS psalm is one of those which have been called "composite"; and certainly it falls into two parts which offer the strongest possible contrast the one to the other. Part 1. (Psalms 27:1-6) is altogether joy…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:1The Lord is my Light (comp. John 1:7-9; John 12:35, John 12:36, John 12:46; 1 John 1:5). The statement does not occur in any other place in the Old Testament, though the idea may be found in Isaiah 60:1, Isaiah 60:20; M…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. A special occasion seems to be intended, so that the LXX. have rightly, ἠσθένησαν καὶ ἔπεσαν. Some unrecorded…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. In the first burst of joy at his recent victory, the 'host" which remains unconquered seems of light account—let them advance—let them "encamp against hi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 27:4One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after. A most emphatic introduction of the new topic! Amid all my joy and jubilation, there is still one thing which I need, which I entreat Jehovah to grant—that t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors