Psa 27:7-12 | KingComments | STEP | are an elaboration of . It alternates between prayer ( ) and the reasons for prayer ( ). In we hear the believer crying out to God for help and waiting for that help to come. The confession of trust in faith of is now severely tested. Faith shines, but the test must prove whether it is real gold or fake gold. The conviction that the LORD helps does not make prayer for help unnecessary. On the contrary, the need for it will be felt all the more. He also knows God as a God Who is angry over sin and therefore appeals to His grace ( ). He knows that an answer cannot be given on the basis of any merit of his own, but only on the basis of God’s grace. He begs for an answer. God’s command to seek His face resonates in the heart of the believer ( ; ; cf. ). It is, so to speak, a ‘commandment of grace’ to do so. At the same time, it is also a privilege to be allowed to do it. David seeks God’s face and asks God not to hide His face from him ( ). He considers God could reject him in anger, because he realizes that he is unworthy – there have been things in his life about which God is angry. He calls himself “Your servant”, which gives emphasis to his humble attitude toward God. He also reminds God that He has been his help in the past. Surely then God will not abandon him and forsake him, will He? We hear in his addressing God with the words “O God of my salvation” how intensely he calls upon God and appeals to His salvation. The dearest earthly relations of care are finite ( ; cf. ). They cannot provide the guarantee of unwavering and lasting reliability. David’s parents did not literally leave him, for he himself left them and later took them to the king of Moab ( ). Forsaken here has the meaning of ‘not being able to help’. If father and mother cannot be appealed to, God’s faithfulness remains. He guarantees to accept anyone who expects his salvation from Him. Take up here means to lift up a child to help or comfort him (cf. ).

‏ Psalms 27:7-12

Seeking God’s Face

Psa 27:7-12 are an elaboration of Psa 27:4. It alternates between prayer (Psa 27:7 ; 9 ; 11) and the reasons for prayer (Psa 27:8 ; 10 ; 12). In Psa 27:7-10 we hear the believer crying out to God for help and waiting for that help to come. The confession of trust in faith of Psa 27:1-6 is now severely tested. Faith shines, but the test must prove whether it is real gold or fake gold.

The conviction that the LORD helps does not make prayer for help unnecessary. On the contrary, the need for it will be felt all the more. He also knows God as a God Who is angry over sin and therefore appeals to His grace (Psa 27:7). He knows that an answer cannot be given on the basis of any merit of his own, but only on the basis of God’s grace. He begs for an answer.

God’s command to seek His face resonates in the heart of the believer (Psa 27:8; Psa 24:6; cf. Deu 4:29). It is, so to speak, a ‘commandment of grace’ to do so. At the same time, it is also a privilege to be allowed to do it. David seeks God’s face and asks God not to hide His face from him (Psa 27:9). He considers God could reject him in anger, because he realizes that he is unworthy – there have been things in his life about which God is angry. He calls himself “Your servant”, which gives emphasis to his humble attitude toward God.

He also reminds God that He has been his help in the past. Surely then God will not abandon him and forsake him, will He? We hear in his addressing God with the words “O God of my salvation” how intensely he calls upon God and appeals to His salvation.

The dearest earthly relations of care are finite (Psa 27:10; cf. Isa 49:15). They cannot provide the guarantee of unwavering and lasting reliability. David’s parents did not literally leave him, for he himself left them and later took them to the king of Moab (1Sam 22:3-4). Forsaken here has the meaning of ‘not being able to help’. If father and mother cannot be appealed to, God’s faithfulness remains. He guarantees to accept anyone who expects his salvation from Him. Take up here means to lift up a child to help or comfort him (cf. Exo 19:4).

The Enemies

David asks God to teach him His way, that is, that He would instruct him in His commandments (Psa 27:11). Connected to this, he asks if God will lead him “in a level path”, that is, a path on which there is no danger of stumbling because the hindrances have been taken away (cf. Psa 26:12). He knows that he is only walking the right path when God leads him. The way of faith is a paved path for those who live according to God’s Word. David asks this because the enemies, his assailants, are lurking on him to see if he deviates from the way, God’s way, God’s commandments, in order to then attack him.

The pressure of the enemies is great (Psa 27:12). David knows the desire of his adversaries. They are the “false witnesses” who have risen against him and accuse him of all kinds of evil. They “breathe out violence”, meaning they want to violently kill him. We recognize this in the trial of the Lord Jesus. False witnesses rose against Him. They were deliberately sought by the accusers (Mt 26:59).