Psalm 27

The Psalms frequently refer to the “sanctuary” as the place where the presence of God was most often felt for Israel. Of course, God’s presence was not limited to the sanctuary but it was certainly the place where God’s people encountered him and entered into his presence. The sanctuary was where God dwelt among his people. It was the holy place where the holy God dwelt among an unholy people. Speaking of either the tabernacle or the temple the psalmists express the joy, contentment, humility, and comfort of being in the presence of God. Throughout the Bible God’s people assembled at the sanctuary to praise him, declare their trust in him, and encourage one another.

Psalms 26-29 are often called the Sanctuary Psalms. Each declares an aspect of encountering God in the sanctuary (26:8; 27:4-5; 28:2, 29:9). Each centers on entering into the presence of God. Specifically, Ps 27 deals with bringing discomfort into the presence of God for the purpose of transforming it into comfort. In Ps 27 David is apparently being pursued by enemies and is discouraged. In fact, Jerusalem may be surrounded by an enemy army and about to be besieged (v. 3). So David brings his desperate situation into the presence of God and lays it before his throne. It is astonishing that in the midst of trial the “one thing” that David seeks is to bring the matter before God (v. 4). This allows David a proper perspective on his suffering: the troubles of the world are put into perspective when we lay them before God. When we bring our troubles into the “sanctuary” we realize that God is bigger and more powerful than those things that make us suffer.

In spite of such a dismal situation, Ps 27 ends with a beautiful statement of confidence: “I am still 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” (vv. 13-14). This is not casual waiting for something to happen. It is not waiting with wishful thinking; it is waiting with earnest expectation. It is the confidence that waits for God to act on our behalf. This is a statement of trust that God will in fact deliver.

The NT teaches that God’s presence is no longer located in the temple sanctuary. Instead, God takes up residence in the lives of his people, the church (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). We are now God’s temple. However, we do come together as a community of faith to praise God, declare our trust in him, and encourage one another in our corporate worship experiences each week. Regardless of the building where we meet, when we assemble, we enter the presence of God in a unique way. God is among us as we assemble together. The assembly is the place where we lay the struggles of life before the throne of God. It is easy to see why the Hebrews writer encouraged his audience to not give up meeting together in the face of suffering and persecution (Heb 10:24).