One Thing - Psalm 27

One Thing

If you could ask anything of the Lord what would you ask for?

Would you ask for physical healing?

Would you ask for salvation for a loved one?

Would you ask for financial blessing?

There are stories throughout scripture of people asking for something-

Queen Esther

King Herod

Then there is the story of King Solomon - what do you want?

We are going to look at a Psalm of David- this Psalm is a Psalm of Confidence

Psalms of Confidence describe the author’s trust and faith in God, typically with a central image or theme. Psalm 23 is the primary example, where David compares God to his shepherd.

In Psalm 27 the central image is

Psalm 27 ESV

Of David. 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? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 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. 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. 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. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 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! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

the 4 friends

Part 1 (vers. 1–6) is altogether joyous and jubilant. It records, as has been said, “the triumph of a warrior’s faith.”

Part 2 (vers. 7–14) is sad and plaintive. It pleads for mercy and forgiveness (vers. 8–10). It complains of desertion (ver. 10), calumny (ver. 12), and imminent danger (vers. 11, 12), It still, indeed, maintains hope, but the hope has only just been saved from sinking into despair by an effort of faith (ver. 13), and a determination to “wait” and see what the end will be (ver. 14). It is thought to “express the sorrows of a martyr to the religious persecutions at the close of the monarchy” (Four Friends, p. 68

What Drove David- what was the thing he lacked as he observed his life he knew that he was barred access from the house of the Lord to him it was an area that he knew he wanted to be.

Confidence without Christ