Episode Transcript
Psalm 27 (NIV)
1 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?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
CONSIDER THIS
Today’s post is from A Meditative Journey Through the Psalms by Timothy and Julie Tennent. Most recently, he served as the president of Asbury Theological Seminary, among other posts he holds across the global church. She is a gifted musician and was one of the driving forces that helped bring to fruition the Seedbed hymnal, Our Great Redeemer’s Praise. We will share some of their writing on the Psalms on Sundays.
Psalm 27 opens with those memorable words, “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?” (v. 1). We live in a time of unprecedented change and volatility. This psalm reminds us that God’s presence is the only steadfast assurance we have in this world. The light of God is most evidently seen in the face of Jesus Christ, who is the “light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5). The psalm expresses that great longing to be in the presence of God, to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Ps. 27:4). The psalmist uses the most dramatic example he can think of to demonstrate this: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (v. 10). How steadfast is the presence and grace of God in Jesus Christ!
David longs to dwell in the house of the Lord and to gaze upon his beauty. For David, this was primarily a longing for the earthly Jerusalem and the temple he longed to see established. As Christians, we realize that this light cannot be contained in any earthly temple but is seen ultimately in the face of Christ. As David longed for the day when a temple would stand in Jerusalem, and God’s presence would fill the Holy of Holies, so we long for the day when we will be in the full presence of God. We live in this longing.
David’s closing prayer is our prayer, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (vv. 13–14). Now, we see but a dim reflection, but someday face-to-face. Now we know in part; then we shall know fully, even as we have been fully known (1 Cor. 13:12).
For the Awakening,
Timothy and Julie Tennent
THE HYMN
Sing Psalm 27 with the Seedbed Psalter today. I suggest the tune CANDLER ("Ye Banks and Braes"). You can hear the tune played online by Julie Tennent here. If you listen to the podcast audio version, I will sing the psalm in this same tune. For your convenience, the words from the Psalter are printed below.
1 The LORD’s my light and salvation—of whom, then, shall I be afraid?
The LORD’s the stronghold of my life; whom shall I fear when on Him stayed?
2 When evildoers come to me, who would my flesh and life devour;
When enemies and foes attack, they fall and stumble in that hour.
3 Though hosts besiege me round about, my heart won’t fear, but rest content;
Though war against me does break out, e’en then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask and I will seek—dwell in the LORD’s house all my days,
To see the beauty of the LORD, and seek Him in His temple’s praise.
5 For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe by His own hand.
He’ll hide me in His sheltered tent, and set me on a rock to stand.
6 My head will then be lifted up above my enemies around,
And I will offer sacrifice with songs of praise and joyful sound.
7 O hear my voice, LORD, when I call; be merciful and answer me;
8 You asked my heart to seek Your face—Your face, O LORD, I’ll surely seek.
9 But do not hide Your face from me; in anger, don’t turn me away;
For You have always been my help, my God and Savior, hope and stay.
10 The LORD receives me even if my father turns his face away.
My mother, too—though they forsake, the LORD will be my strength and stay.
11 Teach me Your way, and lead me, LORD, in level paths, safe from my foes.
12 Do not deliver me to them who vio-lent-ly with lies oppose.
13 For I am confident of this—I’ll see the goodness of the LORD;
Within the land of living ones, I’ll see the goodness of the LORD!
14 Wait for the LORD! Be strong, take heart; with courage wait upon the LORD!
Take heart, be strong, and wait for Him; with confidence, wait for the LORD!
