Sermon Tone Analysis

Psalm 27

Possible Timing of the Psalm

Before David’s anointing as King

During Absalom’s rebellion

Courage in God

Closeness to God

Victory in God

Life in God

Courage in God

Source of this courage - 1

The LORD is my light and salvation / strength of my life - 1

Light - comfort and awareness

Salvation - saving grace from troubles.

Strength - “stronghold” - JFB: “security against all violence”

Whom shall I fear?

Of whom shall I be afraid?

- 1

Important question - Who or what will you fear in life?

Surely we recognize it’s okay to be afraid.

Fear is not the sin.

The action spurred on by fear is what defines us.

NOTE: David is not diminishing the intensity of the threat - but he knows that God is mightier than anything that opposes him.

God is David’s source of encouragement, comfort, strength, focus, and determination.

Trusting in God’s Protection - 2,3, 5

Threats fail by their own power - 2 Ps.

14:4; 2 Tim.

2:18

“To eat up my flesh” - intimidating!

Psalm 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?

2 Timothy 2:18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

Armies do not intimidate - 3

“My heart shall not fear” - Restraint in light of what God has provided.

Ps. 56:9-11

Psalm 56:9–11 When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.

In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

Even if “war” comes against him, he is confident in the “one thing” he seeks (4)

What is so important that would allow one to be confident in the face of an army?

God will Protect - 5

“time of trouble” - day of evil, misery, wickedness - Lk. 22:41-44

Many sources for this in our lives.

How did Jesus react to his “day of evil”?

Luke 22:41–44 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.

Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus trusted His Father even when He knew everyone on earth would turn against Him.

Pavilion - from root word, “to cover, veil” sok Gen. 33:17; Ps. 76:1-3

Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock.

Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Psalm 76:1–3 In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel.

In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion.

There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle.

Selah

Closeness with God

He Sought One Thing - 4

If this is in the time of Absalom, David has been forced from Jerusalem and cannot worship God in the tabernacle.

Nonetheless, his focus and heart is upon being close to his God.

Recall, this thought is what allows the writer to face down an army without fear!

(v.3)

Does dwelling with God fill you with courage in that you could face down an army?

Call for God to Hear - 7

David knows that an answer is only from God’s mercy.

He does not inherently deserve an answer.

Agreement to Seek the Lord - 8

David responds to God’s open invitation, “seek My face”, and did so.

Ps. 34:4

Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.”

Heading: Psalm 34:title A Psalm of David When He Pretended Madness Before Abimelech, Who Drove Him Away, and He Departed.

The history of David’s descendants will be judged upon whether they “seek the LORD”.

Remember the failure of Rehoboam.

2 Chron.

12:14

2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.

Rehoboam rejected wisdom and split the Kingdom of Israel over it.

Asa - 2 Chronicles 14:7

Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 22:9

Uzziah - 2 Chronicles 26:5

Asa - 2 Chronicles 14:7 Therefore he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.”

So they built and prospered.

Asa stopped most of the idol worship in his day.

Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 22:9 Then he searched for Ahaziah; and they caught him (he was hiding in Samaria), and brought him to Jehu.

When they had killed him, they buried him, “because,” they said, “he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart.”

So the house of Ahaziah had no one to assume power over the kingdom.

During the time Jehu reigned in northern Israel.

His deeds stopped the wickedness of Ahab’s house.

Jehu still did the sins of Jeroboam, but Jehoshaphat’s faithful legacy shines.

Uzziah - 2 Chronicles 26:5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

Before Uzziah was lifted up in pride, he worked to remove idolatry in Judah.

NOTE: This is not exhaustive.

Others like Hezekiah and Josiah are certainly important to note in this context.

Asaph agreed to seek the LORD.

Ps. 77:2

Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted.

Pleading for the Lord to be Near - 9

You feel the desperation and pleading in David’s voice here.

He is pressing for God to be near him.

We have felt this way when we have been in trouble.

“do not forsake me” is a good thing to pray! Deut.

31:6; 1 Kings 8:57-58; Heb.

13:5-6

The encouragement of Moses

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

He will not leave you nor forsake you.”