Psalm 27:1–6

Bible Studies for Life 
Assistant to the President for Church Relations, Samford University

The Shelter of God’s Salvation

Psalm 27:1–6

Many scholars believe David wrote this great Psalm during a difficult time in his life. His son, Absalom, led a rebellion against his father’s throne and gathered an army to kill David. To escape his son David withdrew to the Judean wilderness where many of his Psalms took shape.

David cried out to God for salvation from his enemy and found that the Lord was his “light and salvation.”

The same is true for us. We have been delivered from the enemy of death. Psalm 27 is a great reminder that even in the most difficult times of our lives we can say as David, “Whom shall I fear?”

God’s Salvation Removes My Fear. (1)

“The Lord, Yahweh, is my light.” The concept of “light” was a powerful image in the ancient world. Darkness was to be feared but light was a blessing. Light was often seen as a symbol of God’s presence. “Arise, shine; for your light has come. And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isa. 60:1). This verse speaks to the future “salvation” of Jerusalem.

Notice that light accompanies salvation. The greatest example of this is Jesus Christ. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

Notice David also says the Lord is “my salvation.” The word denotes the feeling of being rescued, feeling safe, having security. It is interesting that King David had a whole army at his disposal, yet he found safety and security in Yahweh not his mighty warriors.

Our security as believers is not found in anything the world can offer, only in knowing the “Lord is the strength” for our lives. That is the only way David could say “Of whom shall I be afraid?”

God’s Salvation Gives Me Confidence. (2–3)

“When evildoers come against me to devour my flesh.” The use of words reveals David’s understanding of the intentions of those coming against him. The original language reveals the violent intent of David’s carnivorous enemies. They are said to have “stumbled” and “fell.” The Hebrew is in the perfect tense. Their fate and judgment are viewed as already having occurred. Their doom is sure.

When you know the greatest enemies of your life have been defeated by the God of our salvation, you can have assurance, rest and extreme confidence. When you have confidence in the strength of God, fear is eradicated and in its place is an extreme confidence based on the power of the Lord.

Notice David’s definitive statement, “I will be confident.” Christians can live in the same confidence. Paul says, “In all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37).

God’s Salvation Gives Me Security. (4–6)

The “temple” does not refer to the temple in Jerusalem. It was not built until Solomon’s reign, though certainly David envisioned it. Notice he uses the phrases “house of the Lord,” “His shelter,” “the cover of His tent” to describe the security he feels with the knowledge of having God’s presence surrounding him. We serve a God that sets us “high upon a rock,” not always to keep us from trouble but that our viewpoint of the trouble may be more like His viewpoint.

You may remember as a child how your father would lift you on his shoulders high above the crowd. Walking by his side you were surrounded by the rushing crowd enveloping you, but up high on his shoulders you gained a new perspective on the situation. You felt safe and secure with a higher viewpoint.

That is what God did for David and He will do the same for us. Our salvation grants us the Father’s shoulders, not always to keep us from trouble but always to give us a new vision of the trouble.