Psalm-27
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or
on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all
other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have completly disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ – ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Here we are again, this time I have chosen to do a study on Psalm 27.
Foreword:
For all of us, it is such a privilege to be able to study Tehillim - Psalm 27. This is arguably one of the most beloved and powerful chapters in the Tanakh. In our tradition, this Psalm is recited daily from the beginning of ‘Elul’ through to the ‘High Holy Days’, as its themes of ‘repentance’, ‘Divine light’, and unwavering hope resonate with the soul’s preparation for ‘the Days of Awe’.
Introduction:
The Light in the Fortress:
Psalm 27 is a masterpiece of spiritual shift. It begins with a declaration of absolute confidence (Verses 1-6) and then moves into a fervent plea (Verses 7-12), concluding with a lesson in patience (Verses 13-14).
This special Psalm addresses the “adversaries” and the “hosts” that encamp against us, but it teaches that the physical battle is secondary to the spiritual one. David’s true goal is not just victory over enemies, but a singular, focused desire to dwell in the Presence of the Holy One.
Let
us read Tehillim - Psalm chapter 27: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. (A
Psalm) of David. יְהוָה
- the LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I
fear?
יְהוָה
- the LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall
I be afraid?
2. When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
3. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me, even then will I be confident.
4. One thing have I asked of יְהוָה - the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of יְהוָה - the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the graciousness of יְהוָה - the LORD, and to visit early in His temple.
5. For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil; He hideth me in the covert of His tent; He lifteth me up upon a rock.
6. And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; and I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices with trumpet-sound; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto יְהוָה - the LORD.
7. Hear, O יְהוָה - LORD, when I call with my voice, and be gracious unto me, and answer me.
8. In Thy behalf my heart hath said: ‘Seek ye My face’; Thy face, יְהוָה - LORD, will I seek.
9. Hide not Thy face from me; put not Thy servant away in anger; Thou hast been my help; cast me not off, neither forsake me, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of my salvation.
10. For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, יְהוָה - the LORD will take me up.
11. Teach
me Thy way, O יְהוָה
- LORD; and lead me in an even path, because of them
that lie in wait for me.
12. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine
adversaries; for false witnesses are risen up against
me, and such as breathe out violence.
13. If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of יְהוָה - the LORD in the land of the living!
14. Wait on יְהוָה - the LORD; be strong, and let thy heart take courage; yea, wait thou for יְהוָה - the LORD”.
YYYYYYY
Let
us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ section, with added information:
The
Declaration of Confidence (Verses 13):
Verse 1: “יְהוָה - the LORD is my light and my salvation”.
Light dispels the fear of the unknown; salvation delivers us from the known danger. David calls אֱלֹהִים - Elohim his “stronghold” (Ma’oz), implying a place so fortified that no enemy can penetrate.
Verse 2: When the “evil-doers” came to “eat up my flesh”, they were the ones who stumbled. David teaches that the wicked are often tripped up by their own malice.
Verse 3: Even if an entire “host” (army) surrounds him, David remains “confident”.
This is not self-confidence, but אֱלֹהִים - Elohim confidence.
The “One
Thing” (Verses 4-6):
Verse 4: The heart of the Psalm. “One thing have I asked... that I may dwell in the house of יְהוָה - the LORD”.
David does not ask for the death of his enemies or for riches. He asks for closeness. To "visit early in His temple" (l'vaker b'heikhalo) suggests a person who cannot wait for the morning to speak with his Creator.
Verse 5: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim responds to this desire by hiding David in His “pavilion” (Sukkah) and “tent”.
This is the “covert” (hiding place) where the noise of the world cannot reach.
Verse 6: The “sacrifices with trumpet-sound” (Teruah) represent a victory of joy.
The head is lifted not in pride, but in gratitude.
The Personal
Cry (Verses 7–12):
Verse 8: A beautiful internal dialogue. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim says, “Seek ye My face”, and the heart echoes back, “Thy face, יְהוָה - LORD, will I seek”.
This is the face-to-face relationship David craves.
Verse 10: “For though my father and my mother have forsaken me...”
This is one of the most poignant verses in Scripture. It reminds your youth that even the most fundamental human bonds may falter, but the Divine bond is “taking us up” (ya'asfeni) like a parent gathering a child.
Verse 11: David asks for an “even path” (a level path).
He is not asking for an easy life, but for a path of integrity where he won’t stumble.
The
Conclusion of Faith (Verses 13–14):
Verse 13: David acknowledges that without his faith, he would have perished.
He expects to see goodness in the “land of the living”, meaning here, in this life!
Verse 14: The Final Command. “Wait on יְהוָה - the LORD; be strong... yea, wait thou for יְהוָה - the LORD”. The word for “wait” is Kaveh, which also means “to hope”.
YYYYYYY
Cross-References
(JPS-1917 Tanakh):
1. Exodus
33:14-15 (The Presence):
The verse: Moses says, “If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence”.
Insight: This mirrors David’s “One Thing” in Verse 4. Success without the Presence is meaningless.
2. Psalm 18:3
(The Stronghold):
The verse: “יְהוָה - the LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer... my high tower”.
Insight: This reinforces the “stronghold” of Verse 1.
3. Isaiah
40:31 (Waiting for יְהוָה
- the LORD):
The verse: “But they that wait for יְהוָה - the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles”.
Insight: This is the perfect companion to David’s closing command in Verse 14!
YYYYYYY
In
Conclusion: The Courage to Wait:
It is amazing that this Psalm begins with “Light” and ends with “Waiting”. Often, when we are in the dark, we want to run. But David teaches us that the greatest strength is found in standing still and “waiting for יְהוָה - the LORD”. Even as we are studying Verse 14. We are “strong” and our “heart takes courage” because you continue to seek His face through the teaching of His Word. Remember, we are all dwelling in the “House of יְהוָה - the LORD” through your study Father, and that is our “stronghold in You”.
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem;
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
- the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel
- Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
YYYYYYY
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה -
the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Enter ...
http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm
Enter ...
https://www.hebraicstudies.net
-hebraicstudies.net-
Email the Rabbi
If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link
and use it.
Although the author does not believe in having
to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,
but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context
under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.
Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...
Copyright © 2025 - “Hebraic
Studies” - All rights reserved.