Many of the psalms begin with a lament and end in trust. This one begins with trust, then sinks into a lament, and finally rises again to confidence in God.
27:1 David expressed great confidence as he looked to the future because Yahweh was his light, salvation, and defense or stronghold. Light connotes understanding, joy, and life (cf. 18:28).
"Lightis a natural figure for almost everything that is positive, from truth and goodness to joy and vitality (e.g., respectively, Ps. 43:3; Is. 5:20; Ps. 97:11; 36:9), to name but a few. Here it is the answer to fear(1, 3) and to the forces of evil."74
The answer to his rhetorical questions is, of course, no one.
27:2-3 In the past when his enemies advanced against him they stumbled and fell because God defended him. Therefore in the future David said he would not fear if an entire army were to pitch camp and prepare to attack him.
27:4 The greatest gift that God could give David would be the privilege of spending his time contemplating and reflecting on the wonderful features of his God. The psalmist could achieve this best in Israel near the ark of the covenant where God localized His presence in a special sense. There the priests read and studied the Mosaic Law and worshipped God with prayers and songs. The temple in view here was not Solomon's since Solomon had not yet built it. It was probably the tent that David had constructed in Jerusalem to house the ark that was a successor to the Mosaic tabernacle that stood at Gibeon during David's reign.
"As in the well-known 23:6, this is not an ambition to be a priest or Levite but to enjoy the constant presence of God which is typified by their calling. Note the singleness of purpose (one thing)--the best answer to distracting fears (cf. 1-3)--and the priorities within that purpose: to beholdand to inquire; a preoccupation with God's Person and His will. It is the essence of worship; indeed of discipleship."75
27:5-6 By seeking the Lord David would obtain His protection from his enemies and a firm foundation for his life. These foes would not pursue him into the sanctuary. The psalmist's real security came in seeking refuge in the Lord Himself that His tabernacle only symbolized. David was sure the Lord would exalt him above his enemies eventually. Then he promised to worship the Lord with sacrifices and verbal praise.
27:7-10 Apparently David was not getting the help he needed so he appealed earnestly to the Lord. In the Mosaic Law, God told His people to remember Him and to draw near to Him rather than abandoning Him. David was doing just that so he asked God not to abandon him or remain silent when he requested deliverance. He reminded the Lord that he was His servant because lords did not normally deny their servants access to their presence. God could reject David's plea because he was a sinner so the psalmist acknowledged the possibility that God would turn him away.
Verse 10 should probably be a conditional statement: "If my father . . . ."David's point in this verse was that even if those who were most supportive of him on earth would forsake him he knew even then that the Lord would not abandon him.
27:11-12 David needed directions from God since his enemies were trying to catch him. He feared they would falsely condemn him if the Lord allowed him to fall into their hands.
27:13-14 David's confidence in God returned, and he rejoiced in the prospect of the Lord's deliverance. He encouraged himself and his readers to wait for that salvation and to strengthen themselves with faith in God.
Believers can remain positive and confident about our spiritual safety as we find our delight in the Lord. When fear raises its head, the way to defeat it is to return to trust in Yahweh.76
