Psalm 27--The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

I know that I've often asked myself, "Whom shall I fear?" This is often at the same time as I am feeling anxious and afraid. But this text reminds me that the Lord Jehovah is my salvation and the strength of my life.

The text reminds us of the ways in which the Lord has displayed His salvation in times past. It says that the enemy stumbled and fell when it rose against us, and in confidence boldly declares that we will not be afraid if war rises against us. We, with the psalmist, declare that our desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord all of the days of our lives, and there find our peace and safety. There we will sing praises to the God who controls all things, and works all things for the salvation of His elect.

What follows is a humble plea for God's protection. The psalmist asks for God to hide not His face, but hear the plea in His mercy. The confidence of faith is such that the believer is assured that God will take him up even when his earthly father and mother lose their natural love for him. If God had not worked this grace in the psalmist by His goodness, he would have fainted, or literally would have no hope and be overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. The psalmist, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, commands us to wait on the Lord, and to be of good courage. The promise we have is that the Lord will strengthen our frail and anxious hearts.