Psalm 27 - A Psalm of Trust (Reorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try entering into prayer with this three-part rhythm:

Part 1

Become present to the presence of God:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 ESV).

Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.

Reflect on the joys and challenges of the past day. What are you thankful for? Where did you see God at work? What do you lament? What do you need to confess?

Optional prayer of approach: ‘Lord, in trouble you usher me into a room prepared for me- fire in the hearth, feast on the table, a home of the heart. In your presence my soul is refreshed; my hanging head lifted; my trembling heart quieted… Help me to know that you are near, Lord; that my cries don’t fall on deaf ears; that these prayers aren’t lost on the wind…’ (Sheltering Mercy, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 27).

Part 2

Slowly read from Psalm 27 (NIV) out loud: (for audio versions click here)

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 the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 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.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Part 3

Using your own words, pray Psalm 27 back to God:

Begin by personalizing the pronouns in the psalm, turning the words about God into a prayer directly to God. For example, v. 1 (‘The Lord is my light and my salvation…‘) becomes ‘YOU Lord are my light and my salvation...’ Pray your way through the psalm in this way.

Then gather these thoughts into your own psalm of trust:

  • “Lord, you are my…

  • “I depend on you to…

  • “Without you, I am…

  • “Even when…, I trust you.

  • “I am confident that you will… 

The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 27 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.

from the album ‘Psalms II’ (2015) by Shane and Shane. shaneandshane.com

From the album Asaph (2014) by Loud Harp. loudharp.com