PSALMS Praise and Lament LAMENT I don t see God, so I cry out and trust. Introduction Address Cry for Help Report of the Past Complaint They I/We You Confession of Trust (Descriptive Praise) (Declarative Praise) Prayer Hear Save Punish Because Vow of Praise Individual or Communal Open Heard Disorientation DECLARATIVE PRAISE I praise God for what He has done. Intention to Praise God Summary of Praise Reflection on Past Deed Report of deliverance I cried He heard He delivered Renewed Vow of Praise [Descriptive praise] The Work of God Individual or Communal Reorientation DESCRIPTIVE PRAISE I praise God for Who He is. Call to Praise Hallelujah Invitation Cause for Praise God s Greatness God s Grace Specific Illustration [Declarative Praise] Orientation Conclusion Renewed Call to Praise Hallelujah The Character of God Individual or Communal Ken Wilson Acrostic Poems: 9-10, 25, 34, 37, 111-112, 119, 145 Pilgrim Psalms: 15, 24, 42, 43, 50, 78, 91, 95, 100, 120-134 (Ascent) Creation Psalms: 8, 19, 29, 104, 148 Penitential Psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 142
PSALMS Praise and Lament LAMENT DECLARATIVE PRAISE DESCRIPTIVE PRAISE DIDACTIC PSALMS Lament Proper Individual Communal Song of Trust Individual Communal Individual Thanksgiving Communal Thanksgiving Hymns Kingship Songs Zion Songs Royal Songs Wisdom Psalms Torah Psalms Psalms Other 14 17 25 26 36 38 39 5 7 12 35 3 6 9 10 13 22 27? 28 31 4 11 16 23 27? 9 (18) (21) 23 30 32 34 8 19 29 33 24 2 18 20 21 1 36? 37 15 19 42 43 51 53 55 57 59 61 77 88 108 109 120 130 139 140 141 142 143 Open 69 70 71 86 102 54 56 64 Heard 44 58 60 74 79 80 82 83 85 90 94 106 115 123 126 137 40 62 131 138 46 115? 125 129? 40 41 52? 63 66 92 103 107 116 118 121 138 139 46? 48 65 66 67 75? 76 124 129 78 100 104 105 111 113 114 117 135 136 145-150 47 68 93 96 97 98 99 132 46? 48 81 84 87 91 95 122 45 72 89 101 110 144 49 73 78 112 127 128 133 139? 119 134 50 51 Ken Wilson Historical Notations: Psalm 59 1 Samuel 19:11 Psalm 56 1 Samuel 21:10-15 Psalm 34 1 Samuel 21:10-22:2 Psalm 54 1 Samuel 23:15-23 Psalm 57 & 142 1 Samuel 22:1-2 or 24 Psalm 60 2 Samuel 8:8, 13 Psalm 51 2 Samuel 11-12 Psalm 3 2 Samuel 15-18 Psalm 63 2 Samuel 15:23
Psalm 27 is a lament with a strong undercurrent of trust that God will take care of the psalmist when trouble comes. The tone is confident, not desperate, but still, that psalmist is aware that he is in danger and needs God s presence and guidance to weather the storm. Like Psalm 26 (and as we shall see, Ps. 28 as well), the psalmist in 27 expresses a strong desire to be in God s house, the place where God makes his presence palpable for his people. Tremper Longman
It seems that the poet is describing his deep trust in God alongside his plaintive lament, two frames of mind that, in the complexities of life, often exist together. C. Hassell Bullock
CELEBRATE COURAGEOUS TRUST Psalm 27
CONDFIDENCE Those who trust in the Lord are confident of His protection in times of trouble. Psalm 27:1-6
CONDFIDENCE Reliable History: Our experience with God is the basis for our trust in Him (1-3). Protective Presence: The presence of the Lord provides refuge, security and perspective (4-6). Psalm 27:1-6
Reliable History 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? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 27:1-3
The psalm begins with a memorable expression of confidence in the LORD. It uses two figures: light and salvation. The metaphor of light signifies the joy of life, the perfection of holiness, and the illumination of the way of truth. Light dispels darkness, and darkness represents evil, confusion, gloom, and despair, often because of war. Allen Ross
Light is a natural figure for almost everything that is positive, from truth and goodness, to joy and vitality (e.g. respectively, Ps. 43:3; Is. 5:20; Ps. 97:11; 36:9), to name but a few. Derek Kidner
Verses 4-6 constitute the heart of the poem, the supplicant s desire to be in God s house, which is another way of expressing his desire to be with and know God. C. Hassell Bullock
The House of God LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. Psalm 26:8
In each of Psalms 26-28 the Lord s house comes into view. In Psalm 26 the worshipper, as he approaches, is searched by God s demand for sincerity (cf. Pss. 15 and 24) and, in the last verse, rejoices to have found access. In Psalm 27 he sees this house as sanctuary from his enemies, and as the place of vision, face to face with God. In Psalm 28 he brings forward his petition, spreading his hands as a supplicant towards the holy of holies, and receives his answer. Derek Kidner
Protective Presence 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. 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. Psalm 27:4-6
Beauty (נ ע ם) This Hebrew term is difficult to fully translate. It can mean something beautiful, delightful or splendid. The connotations include both the intrinsic appeal of the object as well as the overwhelming response of the one who perceives. All five senses can be involved in the enjoyment of the object. In this context the delight of seeing the elaborate surroundings as well as hearing the singing and testimonies of the people and catching the aroma of the cooking sacrifices all work together to make the sanctuary a wonderful place he wants to be.
The concluding verse of this first section adds an additional desired benefit of being in the house of the LORD the celebration of praise. Allen Ross
Protective Presence 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. Psalm 27:6
It is unlikely that the prayer has been answered, because of the petition in the second half of the psalm. Because he anticipates the victory, he resolves to offer the sacrifice of praise. Allen Ross
Some assume the first part of the psalm was a review of God s faithfulness in the past, as a preliminary statement to the psalmists petition for mercy. Others believe that in part 1 he laid out his vision for the future, and in part 2 he awakes from his dream to the reality of present dangers. C. Hassell Bullock
It is precisely the blending of divine judgment and divine grace which constitutes the particular tension so characteristic of the experience of faith. Artur Weiser
PRAYER Those who trust in the Lord pray with confidence and wait patiently for His protection and guidance. Psalm 27:7-14
PRAYER Gracious Assistance: The faithful seek the face of the Lord above all else (7-10). Godly Guidance: The faithful find direction for life in the counsel of the Lord (11-12). Consistent Confidence: The faithful have confidence that the Lord will bless them (13). Psalm 27:7-13
Gracious Assistance Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, Seek his face! Your face, LORD, I will seek. 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. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Psalm 27:7-10
Seeking the face of the LORD means praying for his grace. Psalm 105:4 uses it in conjunction with trusting in the LORD S powerful presence. Similarly, the shining face signifies the LORD S gracious intervention (Ps. 31:6; Num. 6:25). The expression signifies that the psalmist was looking for the LORD S gracious intervention. Allen Ross
Godly Guidance Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. Psalm 27:11-12
The way of the LORD is the revealed will of the LORD expressed in the commandments. The request is for the Lord to guide him in the keeping of the commandments. Allen Ross
The Way ( דב ר) To seek the way of the LORD in scripture does not mean some sort of special personalized revelation. It is simply being obedient to the already revealed will of God found in scripture.
Consistent Confidence I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
Patient Waiting Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
CONFIDENCE What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
The last verse is an exhortation to wait patiently with bold courage for the LORD S deliverance. The word wait, ק ו ה) s.v. Ps. 25:3) indicates confident expectation, albeit with some tension or restlessness as a part of the waiting. Allen Ross
Patient Waiting Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
CELEBRATE COURAGEOUS TRUST The Lord is My Light and My Salvation In times of trouble and distress the faithful have confidence in the LORD and pray for guidance and protection. Psalm 27
He desires to go to the sanctuary where he will be reminded of all the wonderful works of the LORD through the praise of the people. There he will seek the LORD S favor to deliver and guide him yet again, and there he will be encouraged to be strong in the faith as he waits for the LORD S response. Allen Ross
That will only happen if people are there praising the LORD for his wonderful works and encouraging one another to pray with confident expectation. The message of this psalm will not work if the sanctuary is empty or the people are silent. Allen Ross
CELEBRATE A Study in the Psalms