Psalm Category: Psalm of Trust

Central Thought: Psalm 27 provides us with a realistic view of life in the land of the living (the “here and now”), and it teaches us how to make it from here to eternity.

Key Word: Maoz (v. 1). Maoz is translated as “stronghold” in the NIV and “defense” in the NASB. The imagery being evoked here is of a military nature. A maoz is a military fortress. In the ancient Near East, a maoz might be found in a mountain or in a temple. Today people find their refuge in medicine, money, and pleasure. However, the believer is to find his refuge where David found it—in God and in Him alone.

Psalm 27

Psalm 27 is a needed reminder of what the Christian life is sometimes like, and it informs us how to make it from here to eternity.

A Mountaintop Experience (vv. 1-6): As the psalm opens, we find David on the mountaintop. David states that God is his “light,” “salvation,” and “stronghold.” Because of this, David fears no one (v. 1), is sure that his enemies will stumble (v. 2), and declares that his heart will not fear even in the face of an invading army (v. 3). The confident statements of David reach their crescendo in verses 4-5, where David declares his certainty that God will keep him safe, hide him, and set him upon a rock. Can you imagine a more confident statement of assurance and trust?

A Valley Experience (vv. 7-13): In the second section of the psalm, David’s confidence seems to give way to insecurity, uncertainty, and desperate prayer. In verses 1-6, David set forth a series of confident declarations about God, but now we find David pleading with God through a series of imperatives. In verse 7, David begs God to “hear,” “be merciful,” and “answer.” In verse 9, David pleads with God to not reject or forsake him. Finally, in verse 12, David prays that God will not turn him over to his enemies. David, who had moments before expressed assurance of God’s presence, now fears that God is not listening and has turned His face away from him. David fears that God has abandoned him.

What an incredible change! What a rollercoaster ride of emotions! Is this not a realistic description of the Christian life at times? Don’t you sometimes feel as if God is not listening, that He has turned His face away, and that He has abandoned you?

From Here to Eternity (v. 14): Psalm 27 not only points out the reality of this life, it also provides us with guidance in how to make it through life’s difficulties. Psalm 27 instructs us to do two things when we find ourselves in the valley: pray and wait.

First, we pray. In Psalm 27, David is in trouble, likely some type of military trouble. He’s on the eve of battle. Yet, David doesn’t call up Lockheed Martin or Boeing and order more weapons. He doesn’t call his generals together to come up with a better strategy. Instead, David calls on the Lord in prayer. Prayer is one of the great privileges of the believer. In your day of trouble, follow the example of David and pray.

Second, we wait on the Lord. In verse 14 God tells David to wait; in fact, He says it twice for emphasis. However, God also tells David to be “strong and take heart.” In this phrase David found his encouragement, because he knew that no matter what occurred the next day in battle, God was with him. Remember, David’s fear was that God was not listening, that God had abandoned him. However, in verse 14, God declares to him an answer to his prayer, and the fact that God answered him was proof that God was with him. With this knowledge David could confidently wait upon the Lord.

The good news for you is that David’s confidence can be your confidence. God is with you as you face the trials of this age. In fact, you know something even more encouraging, something that even David did not know in its fullness. If God answered the prayers of King David, then He most certainly answers the prayers of King Jesus; and Jesus prayed for you: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name” (John 17:11). In your day of trouble, never forget that Jesus prayed for you. He prayed that you will make it from here to eternity, and because of this you can be strong and take heart!

—Anthony Selvaggio