Ps. 27 THE ARGUMENT It is apparent from the body of this Psalm, that David was not yet fully delivered from the trouble which his enemies gave him, both by their slanders and other ways. But whether it belong to that history which is reeorded 2 Sam.

My light, i.e. my counsellor in all my difficulties, and my comforter and deliverer in all my distresses. The strength of my life, i.e. the supporter and preserver of my life.

To eat up my flesh; greedy to devour me at one morsel. Compare Job 19:22, Job 31:31.

In that which I have now said, that God is my light, &c., Ps. 27:1, and in the experience of his favour and protection, Ps. 27:2.

Though I am exercised with many troubles, there is but one thing that I am very solicitous for, or desirous of, and that is not victory and triumphs over all mine enemies, assured peace and settlement in my throne, the wealth, and pleasure, and glory of enlarging or ruling my empire: or if I have…

He shall hide me; or, hath hid me; or, useth to hide me. Justly do I prize the house and service of God so highly, both because I have such vast obligations to him for his former protection and favours, and because all my hope, and confidence, and security depends upon him.

Mine head shall be lifted up above mine enemies; he will advance me above them, and give me a complete victory over them. Sacrifices of joy, or of shouting or resounding, i.e. of thanksgiving; which were accompanied with the sound of trumpets and other instruments, Num. 10:10, 1 Chron.

When thou saidst; either by thy word, commanding and inviting me so to do; or by thy Spirit, directing and inclining me to it. Seek ye my face, i.e. seek my presence, and favour, and help, by fervent and faithful prayer.

Hide not thy face; which I in obedience to thy command am now seeking. Put not thy servant away, to wit, from thy face or presence, or from the place of thy worship, from which he either now was or formerly had been driven.

Forsake me; or, leave me; as being unable to help me, and rather a burden than a help to me; for which reason David desired them to leave him, and disposed of them in another place, 1 Sam. 22:0;. Or his father and mother were now dead.

Thy way, i.e. what course I shall take to please thee, and to discharge my duty, and to save myself from ruin. A plain path; of which See Poole “Ps. 26:12”, where the Hebrew words are the same.

The will, or lust, or desire, Heb. soul; which is so taken, Ps. 41:2, Ps. 78:18, Ezek. 16:27. Such as breathe out cruelty; he presseth his request upon the quality of his enemies, who were both false and cruel, and in both respects hateful to God and men.

I had fainted: these words are added to complete the sense; for the speech is abrupt and imperfect, as is very usual, not only in the Holy Scripture, but in many other authors, in all vehement passions or commotions of mind, such as David was in at this time.

Wait on the Lord, O my soul; to which he now turneth his speech; as he frequently doth in this book. He shall strengthen thine heart; he will uphold thee, and keep thee from fainting and sinking under thy burdens.