For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 27 – I want to live close to God

1 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?

2 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

4 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.
5 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.

6 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.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 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 Saviour.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
12 Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

A. Find Out:

1. How does David describe the Lord and with what effect? v.1   
2. Who may come but what does he trust in? v.2,3
3. What is the one thing David asks for and why? v.4-6
4. So what does he cry for? v.7-9
5. What more does he ask for? v.11,12
6. Of what is he confident? v.10,13

B. Think:

1. How do verses 1-3 describe the realities of David’s life?
2. How do verses 4-6 describe his yearning?
3. How do verses 7-14 show a growing faith level?   

C. Comment:

    David’s declaration at the beginning of this psalm tells us that his life was one where he needed to resist fear and had enemies to contend with. Yet he can say that though the enemies come against him, he does not need to worry, because the Lord is with him.

    His yearning that follows is that he wants to just dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. If this is truly written by David we must note that he lived before there ever was a temple in Jerusalem and so it was more of a reference to the tabernacle which did exist. Simply put, he just wants to be close to God!

    The concern he expresses in verses 7-9 is that God might not accept him, yet as he prays he gets an assurance that indeed the Lord will receive him. Then again he asks not to be handed over to his enemies and it is at this point we see why this psalm falls into this grouping: there are those around him who speak falsely against him, who threaten him. He is aware of their powerful presence around him, yet as he prays on he has that sense that the Lord will uphold him and he will survive, it’s just a matter of waiting for the Lord to move.

    The lesson here, again, is that as we pray, faith is released, and we know we will receive what we are asking for – but we need to pray!

D. Application?

1. David knew of unrighteous oppressors around him & trusted God.
2. As we pray faith and assurance is released.