One Thing Have I Asked: Help When You Feel Forsaken (Ps 27)

Read Psalm 27:

Of David

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 evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. ³ Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

⁴ One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. ⁵ For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. ⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

⁷ Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! ⁸ You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” ⁹ Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! ¹⁰ For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.

¹¹ Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. ¹² Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. ¹³ I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! ¹⁴ Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Understand Psalm 27:

In Psalm 27, David faces evildoers, adversaries, and foes who seek to bring him down (vv. 2-3). Yet he refuses to be afraid when fears assail him. Instead, he turns his face toward heaven and shows us four ways to actively wait on God.

A. Trust Confidently in God’s Protection (vv. 1-3)

First, David confidently declares the Lord to be “my light and my salvation, . . . the stronghold of my life” (v. 1).

As our Light, God offers protection like a shepherd’s campfire in the dead of night or a torch to define the trail (18:28; 23:4). Light illuminates God’s truth and shows the way (119:105).[1]
As our Salvation, God promises to deliver us from danger and to keep our foot from stumbling (37:24; 119:165). He rescues his children when we need saving.
As our Stronghold, God is a refuge in the storms of life and from the cannibalism of our fellow man.[2] He teaches us to trust in him as our fortress against the world (28:8; Prov 10:29; Isa 25:4; Joel 3:16).

Our confidence in God was carried forward into Christ: our Light (John 1:5, 9; 8:12), our Salvation (14:6; Acts 4:12), and our Stronghold (John 16:33; Heb 13:5-6). As a man like us, Jesus trusted in his Father’s leading. He was rescued from his enemies although abandoned by his friends. The armies of darkness surrounded him at death, but he never surrendered his heart to fear. Instead, he kept his confidence in the Lord: his Light, his Salvation, and the Stronghold of his life.[3] For in God’s Son, all the fullness of the Father was pleased to dwell (Col 1:15, 19).

B. Commit Joyfully to God’s Presence (vv. 4-6)

David then expresses his one desire to know the Lord and to come before his presence (Ps 27:4). As king, he longs to gaze upon the beauty of God’s favor (90:17), for even he who reigns must still be ruled. Thus, David’s greatest joy is in the Lord himself (16:2, 11; 50:2; 63:1-3; 84:10) as he worships in the tabernacle.[4] In ancient Israel, God’s presence resides in a place on earth (99:5; 132:7; Isa 66:1).

Today, however, God dwells amidst his people. In the words of Richard Sibbes, “Particular visible churches under visible pastors . . . now are God’s tabernacle.”^[5] So we come before God’s presence in the gathered assembly of believers (Heb 10:24-25) as we seek the best and greatest gift of Christ (Phil 3:8). We gaze upon Christ’s beauty as the glorious radiance of his Father’s Light (Heb 1:3a). We rejoice in Christ’s Salvation by offering up our sacrifices and our songs of praise (Ps 27:6).[6] For Christ, our Stronghold, promises to “hide” us, “conceal” us, and “lift [us] high upon a rock” (v. 5).[7] Thus, we commit joyfully to seek God’s presence as we wait on him. His smile is all we need to overcome the scowls of men.

C. Cry Out Desperately for God’s Promises (vv. 7-10)

David cries out in desperation as he seeks the face of God (vv. 7-8), “Do not turn me away because of secret sin. Hide not your favor or your face. For even if my parents should forsake me, I know that you will take me in” (vv. 9-10).[8] There is almost no pain more crushing than to be rejected by one’s parents—to be unwanted and unloved. Some who have been orphaned or abused still struggle with this abandonment after many years. Yet David reminds us that our heavenly Father loves us more than any human parent ever could. He wraps his arms around us and holds us close. He listens to our prayers and guides us in his way as he promises to never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5b).

As children, we seek acceptance from our parents, yet many faithful saints have been cast out from their families. So our Father promises he will always take us in at any hour of the day or night (Matt 11:28-30).
As children, we seek a listening ear, yet even loved ones may turn away. So our Father promises he will always hear us when we ask (7:7).
As children, we seek guidance to avoid life’s pitfalls and to walk in wisdom. So our Father promises to always lead us “in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Ps 23:3; Prov 8:20).
As children we seek the presence of loving parents who fill our home with grace. So our Father promises that his goodness and mercy will always follow us even into death (Ps 23:6).
As children, we also seek protection through the strength of others. So our Father promises to always keep us safe (Prov 18:10).

In Christ, we come as children before our loving Father. In Christ, we seek God’s face (John 14:9; Col 1:15) and cry out desperately for him to keep his promises.

D. Walk Courageously on God’s Path (vv. 11-14)

Then finally, we walk courageously on God’s path, for we can only dwell before God’s presence if we are committed to his way. David’s enemies seek to bite and devour him (Ps 27:11). They rise against him and breathe out violence for his blood (v. 12). Yet David trusts that God, with sovereign goodness, will deliver him in life (v. 13).[9] Therefore, he urges, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (v. 14). This repeated call to wait emphasizes his active trust in God (31:24).

So also, when our fears assail us, we perch expectantly on the edge of our seats as we wait for God to act. Yet in our waiting, we grow strong and courageous like Joshua before conquering the promised land (Deut 31:6-8, 23; Josh 1:6-9, 18). We bolster our courage like soldiers readying for battle: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Cor 16:13; e.g., Josh 10:25). We prepare, as leaders, to take up our God-ordained responsibilities (e.g., 1 Chr 22:13; 28:20; 2 Chr 32:7). Active waiting is difficult work, but the only way God’s strength will be manifest in our weakness (Isa 40:31; 1 Cor 1:25-31).

Apply Psalm 27:

What are you currently fearful about in life? Are any of your fears misplaced or out of proportion? How does Psalm 27 help you to refocus your thoughts on the Lord as your Light, your Salvation, and your Stronghold?
What virtues do you learn about God from this psalm? How does his character teach you to wait confidently instead of anxiously? Which of the promises in his Word do you cling to the most?
If God offered to give you whatever you asked for in life, what would it be? What is the one thing that you would choose as the best and greatest gift of all?
Consider what children often seek from their parents: acceptance, listening, guidance, presence, protection, and strength. How will God provide all this even if your friends and family should forsake you?
How long would you remain in the waiting room for an expert physician to perform life-saving surgery on your child? How long would you wait in the court of a king if he promised you a gift? How much longer should you confidently wait on the Lord your God?

Counsel Psalm 27:

Many fears assail us in a fallen world, yet believers can wait confidently in God. We trust him as our Light, our Salvation, and our Stronghold. Psalm 27 can minister especially to counselees who have been abandoned by their parents or loved ones (v. 10). For further study, read Shauna Van Dyke, “Psalm 27,” in Counseling Through the Psalms (Fort Worth, TX: The Association of Biblical Counselors, 2020), 44-45 or Timothy S. Lane, PTSD: Healing for Bad Memories (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2020).

Projects for Growth (Psalm 27)

Meditate on the divine metaphors of the Lord as your Light, your Salvation, and your Stronghold. How do each of these visual images provide a clearer picture of God in Christ Jesus (Ps 27:1)?
Face your fears by naming them aloud (vv. 2-3, 11-12). Have you ever felt abandoned by your friends or loved ones (v. 10)? How does your heavenly Father comfort you with his presence?
If God offered to give you whatever you asked for, what would it be? What is the one thing that you would choose as the best and greatest gift in life (v. 4; Phil 3:8)?
Consider what children often seek from their parents or guardians. How will God provide all this even if your family should forsake you (Ps 27:10a)? Listening (v. 7); Acceptance (vv. 8b, 9, 10b); Guidance (v. 11); Protection (v. 12); Presence (v. 13); Strength (v. 14).
Sing and make melody to the Lord (v. 6) by reflecting on the music and lyrics of Shane and Shane, “Psalm 27 (One Thing)” in Psalms, vol. 2 (Well House Records, 2015).
What can you do today to actively wait upon the Lord? What promises in God’s Word enable you to be strong and very courageous?
For further study, read Andrew Murray, Waiting on God (New York: Revell, n.d.), 46-47.

Pray Psalm 27

Lord, you are my Light, my Salvation, and the Stronghold of my life (vv. 1-2).
Conquer all my fears and grant me the confidence to wait for you (vv. 3, 14).
I long to dwell forever in your presence (vv. 4-6).
I will continually seek your face though all others turn away from me (vv. 7-10).
Lead me to your goodness, Lord, past the threat of all my enemies (vv. 11-13).

[1] Although the Lord is often associated with light (2 Sam 22:29; Job 38:19; Pss 36:9; 43:3; 97:11; 104:2; Isa 5:20; 1 Tim 6:16), here is the only instance in the Old Testament where God declares himself to be the Light (see Jas 1:17; 1 John 1:5).

[2] “To devour flesh” is an Aramaic idiom for slander or malicious accusation (e.g., Dan 3:8; 6:24; Gal 5:15).

[3] Psalm 27 brackets the focus on seeking God’s presence with declarations of confident trust (vv. 1-3, 13-14).

[4] The tabernacle is called the “sanctuary” (Exod 25:8) and the “house of the Lord” (23:19; 34:26; 2 Sam 12:20), but sometimes also the “temple” (1 Sam 1:9; 3:3).

^[5] C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, vol. 1b, Psalms 27-57 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1968), 10.

[6] The chiastic focus in verse 6 highlights the psalmist’s praise for the Lord’s deliverance.

A Trust Yahweh (v. 1)

B Face your enemies (vv. 2-3)

C Seek Yahweh’s Presence (vv. 4-5)

D Praise Yahweh for his Deliverance (v. 6)

C’ Seek Yahweh’s Face (vv. 7-10)

B’ Face your enemies (vv. 11-12)

A’ Trust Yahweh (vv. 13-14)

[7] This kind of rock (tsur) most frequently describes a large boulder which would set the psalmist beyond the reach of all his enemies (e.g., 18:2).

[8] We have no biblical or historical record of David’s parents abandoning him, so we interpret this concern hypothetically: “Even if they should forsake me.”

[9] Although the Old Testament teaches the doctrine of the resurrection (Job 19:25-27; Pss 49:15; 73:23-28; Isa 25:8; 26:19; Ezek 37:1-14; Hos 13:14; Dan 12:1-4 e), this phrase, “the land of the living,” occurs about fifteen times in reference to the present life as compared to destruction in Sheol.