“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 the wicked advance against me… my foes… will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me… though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (v1-3,7-9,11,13-14)
David is a little double-minded in this Psalm, going back and forth between confidence and uncertainty – I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who waivers. He starts out really confident, absolutely sure that He is unstoppable and nobody can stand against his because he serve’s a mighty God, but then quickly turns to pleading with God to hear his cry for deliverance from the enemies.
One of the commentaries I read suggests that this was actually two separate Psalms, since the first and second half are so different, which I suppose is possible. Though knowing myself and how quickly my mood and way of thinking can change from one moment to the next, I suggest it’s entirely possible this is a single Psalm and he simply had an attitude shift partway through writing it. Music has a way of changing the way that we feel and think, so the artist (David) could have been moved by the song as he was writing it.
I remain confident of this: no matter how my faith may fluctuate from one moment to the next, no matter how out of control my emotions get, or how wild my imagination runs, God is unchanging. God is the same God today that He was before time began and the universe was created.
Lord God my Rock, Yahweh Tsuri, on you we are firmly founded. Though the battle rages and armies rise up against us on all sides, we’ll stand in the fight and will not be shaken. You are our stronghold, we will not tremble, we won’t be afraid. All those against You will fall, for You God are stronger, You can do all things. You God are for us, You have overcome by the Light of the World. No higher name we can call, for Jesus is greater, and we see His goodness rising like the light of dawn. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. On Christ the Solid Rock we stand, and through Him we are strengthened and can do all things. (par: Psa 27, “We Will Not Be Shaken”, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”, Php 4:13)
~ Conqueror in Training