Psalm 27 for Elul

​Some scholars believe that the daily reading of Psalm 27 during the month of Elul is what is needed for preparation of the Jewish high holy days. In fact, they say the phrase "my light" in verse one is a reminder of Rosh Hashana, and "my salvation" a reminder of Yom Kippur. Verse five says, "He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle" which refers to Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. All this aside, Psalm 27 is a powerful Psalm to read at any time of the year. This Psalm is one of adoration and the truth of who God is in our lives. A key to remember as we search the depths of Scripture is that adoration brings revelation and revelation brings intimacy.
 
Psalm 27 is one that brings adoration to God through declaring who He is and what He has done. We are given the key to conquering fear in verse one. "The Lord is my light and my salvation—in whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold (a place of refuge and defense) of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" The author of Psalm 27, King David, was familiar with being hunted down. When he wrote about evil men advancing against him or an army besieging him, he was living his life running from King Saul who wanted to kill him. Despite the battle David was in, he expresses his first priority: "to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." (Verse 4) Here is how The Passion Translation says it: "Here's the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else:  I want the privilege of living with Him every moment in His house, finding the sweet loveliness of His face, filled with awe, delighting in His glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to Him that He takes pleasure in my every prayer." 
 
God has a perfect place for us to run to when we are in trouble. That shelter is His tabernacle where He sets us "high upon a rock." (Verse 5) Think about that picture of being placed on a high rock. This placement keeps one above their enemies, out of their reach. The result should be that we will "sacrifice with shouts of joy." (Verse 6) The Passion Translation says, “Triumphant now, I'll bring Him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy!" 
 
Next, David makes a plea to the Lord:  "Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, 'Seek His face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (Verses 7, 8) He remembers how he had been rejected by his family and the hurt that this causes. However, the Lord fills every void that we have in our lives. David recalls the hope he has in the Lord. He makes a request of the Lord:  "Now teach me all about your ways and tell me what to do. Make it clear for me to understand, for I am surrounded by waiting enemies...Yet I totally trust in you to rescue me one more time, so that I can see once again how good you are while I'm still alive!” (Verses 11, 13 - TPT) The classic statement in verse 13 is rendered like this in the NIV. "I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
 
Psalm 27 ends with a word of advice that I am sure David learned through his years of battle. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Verse 14) The Passion Translation says, "Here's what I've learned through it all. Don't give up; don't be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for He will never disappoint you!"
 
David had a great deal of experience in waiting for the Lord. Afterall, he was anointed to be king of Israel as a young man but was not able to sit upon the throne until age 30. His waiting was not easy, as we have already noted. King Saul was after him during most of his wait. Waiting for God takes perseverance and patience. During these times of waiting, we must remember that the Lord uses them to teach and prepare us for what is ahead. We must make good use of our seasons of waiting and walk in the revelation He gives us after taking shelter in His tabernacle.