Psa 27:4 | KingComments | STEP | Fear ( ) can be paralyzing. We see this with Peter in the storm ( ). The answer is “one thing” ( ) and that is: to remain true to the Lord with, as it literally says, purpose of heart ( ). Although the danger is great, as the second half of the psalm shows, the psalmist does not begin, as in some other psalms, with a cry for help, but with a song of praise of confidence (cf. ; ). David has come to know the LORD as his light and salvation through his deliverance from his evildoers ( ). This does not cause him to enjoy his rest now, but it works in him a desire and an activity. He strongly desires to dwell in the house of the LORD and to behold His beauty and to meditate in His temple. “Behold” means that he longs for God Himself; “meditate” means that he longs for the knowledge of God’s will. His stay in the temple is also his greatest security against the enemies who seek his downfall. This is the only thing, “one thing”, that he desires, and that for “all the days of my life” (cf. ). This is the “exclusiveness” of faith. It excludes everything else. Everything else is seen as loss and rubbish (cf. ). Only this “one thing” is important. Many believers are not satisfied with ‘one thing’. They think that is too narrow-minded. You have to look more broadly; after all, there is more to enjoy. But what is there to enjoy apart from the beauty of God, His greatness and all His gracious features that we experience more and more as we live with Him? What believer does not want to know more and more about that? However, as soon as we add something besides Christ to give our attention to, we are no longer satisfied with ‘one thing’. ‘One thing’ excludes everything else. The choice is not difficult if we consider that this ‘one thing’ also gives perfect satisfaction to life. Everything we add decreases that satisfaction. There are more histories that show us the importance of “one thing”. The Lord Jesus says of Mary that by sitting at His feet she has done “one thing” that is necessary and that she has thus chosen the good part ( ). The blind-born, when he has become seeing, knows “one thing” ( ); the rich young man lacks “one thing” ( ; ); there is only “one thing” that Paul does ( ). The sanctuary is a shelter in which God causes the believer to take refuge and protect him “in the day of trouble” ( ). The word “for” explains why he does not ask for judgment on his enemies. He could do that, but new enemies will present themselves. Much rather he is in the shelter of God which provides security against all present and future enemies. David calls the sanctuary “His tabernacle” or “His shelter”. It is a simple hut of four posts with a roof of leaves, in which one who works in the fields can seek protection from the heat of the sun ( ). It is also a place where God hides him “in the secret place of His tent”. This is the private part of the tent. It indicates that the place of safety is also a place of personal intimacy with God, where no one else is present. Finally, David says that God lifts him up “on a rock”. No enemy can reach that place or cause it to waver. We also find this aspect with the faithful remnant of Israel in the end time. They will find refuge from evil with Christ. For this He will bring them to a safe place and there provide for them and supply them with what they need (cf. ). Because of the safety and security, David can lift up his head above his enemies who surround him ( ). ‘Lifting up his head’ is metaphor for ‘gaining victory’ (cf. ). The enemies may surround him, but he is with his God and therefore above them. They cannot do anything to him, they cannot get to him, no matter how they roar and rage. Next, David no longer looks to them, but to God. He expresses his confidence in full deliverance by saying that he will offer sacrifices of praise and thanks in God’s tent, the tabernacle. He will do so “with shouts of joy”. The hiding place becomes a place of loud, open praise. From the fullness of his heart he sings, yes, he sings psalms to the LORD.

‏ Psalms 27:4

God’s Dwelling Place

Fear (Psa 27:3) can be paralyzing. We see this with Peter in the storm (Mt 14:30). The answer is “one thing” (Psa 27:4) and that is: to remain true to the Lord with, as it literally says, purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). Although the danger is great, as the second half of the psalm shows, the psalmist does not begin, as in some other psalms, with a cry for help, but with a song of praise of confidence (cf. 2Chr 20:21-22; Acts 16:22-25).

David has come to know the LORD as his light and salvation through his deliverance from his evildoers (Psa 27:1-3). This does not cause him to enjoy his rest now, but it works in him a desire and an activity. He strongly desires to dwell in the house of the LORD and to behold His beauty and to meditate in His temple. “Behold” means that he longs for God Himself; “meditate” means that he longs for the knowledge of God’s will. His stay in the temple is also his greatest security against the enemies who seek his downfall.

This is the only thing, “one thing”, that he desires, and that for “all the days of my life” (cf. Psa 23:6). This is the “exclusiveness” of faith. It excludes everything else. Everything else is seen as loss and rubbish (cf. Phil 3:8). Only this “one thing” is important.

Many believers are not satisfied with ‘one thing’. They think that is too narrow-minded. You have to look more broadly; after all, there is more to enjoy. But what is there to enjoy apart from the beauty of God, His greatness and all His gracious features that we experience more and more as we live with Him? What believer does not want to know more and more about that?

However, as soon as we add something besides Christ to give our attention to, we are no longer satisfied with ‘one thing’. ‘One thing’ excludes everything else. The choice is not difficult if we consider that this ‘one thing’ also gives perfect satisfaction to life. Everything we add decreases that satisfaction.

There are more histories that show us the importance of “one thing”. The Lord Jesus says of Mary that by sitting at His feet she has done “one thing” that is necessary and that she has thus chosen the good part (Lk 10:39 ; 42). The blind-born, when he has become seeing, knows “one thing” (Jn 9:25); the rich young man lacks “one thing” (Lk 18:22; Mk 10:21); there is only “one thing” that Paul does (Phil 3:14).

The sanctuary is a shelter in which God causes the believer to take refuge and protect him “in the day of trouble” (Psa 27:5). The word “for” explains why he does not ask for judgment on his enemies. He could do that, but new enemies will present themselves. Much rather he is in the shelter of God which provides security against all present and future enemies.

David calls the sanctuary “His tabernacle” or “His shelter”. It is a simple hut of four posts with a roof of leaves, in which one who works in the fields can seek protection from the heat of the sun (Isa 4:6). It is also a place where God hides him “in the secret place of His tent”. This is the private part of the tent. It indicates that the place of safety is also a place of personal intimacy with God, where no one else is present. Finally, David says that God lifts him up “on a rock”. No enemy can reach that place or cause it to waver.

We also find this aspect with the faithful remnant of Israel in the end time. They will find refuge from evil with Christ. For this He will bring them to a safe place and there provide for them and supply them with what they need (cf. Rev 12:13-14).

Because of the safety and security, David can lift up his head above his enemies who surround him (Psa 27:6). ‘Lifting up his head’ is metaphor for ‘gaining victory’ (cf. Psa 3:3 ; Psa 110:7). The enemies may surround him, but he is with his God and therefore above them. They cannot do anything to him, they cannot get to him, no matter how they roar and rage.

Next, David no longer looks to them, but to God. He expresses his confidence in full deliverance by saying that he will offer sacrifices of praise and thanks in God’s tent, the tabernacle. He will do so “with shouts of joy”. The hiding place becomes a place of loud, open praise. From the fullness of his heart he sings, yes, he sings psalms to the LORD.