As we battle our fears, it can be helpful to consider a couple of broad approaches. One is to gradually renew our underlying beliefs. The other is to learn how to respond when anxiety attacks. Psalm 27 guides us in these approaches. It is a psalm of two halves: verses 1-6 are structured worship that proclaims confidence in the Lord; verses 7-14 are a prayer to the Lord when under pressure. Both parts give us liturgy for our fears.
As we walk through the verses now, I encourage you to put your own fears and anxieties into the psalm. David’s fears were the threat of enemy nations. What causes your heart to grow anxious? In Christ, the greater Son of David, we can place our own disquiet into God’s care.
Worship, v1-6:
confess confidence in the Lord for your fears
- Confession, v1-3
The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? …
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear.
A confession is a declaration of truth. It says, “this is what I believe”. David faces flesh and blood armies and horses with real arrows and weaponry. You can name the troubles you face. What are the worst-case scenarios that overwhelm you? What are the situations you overthink? Speak those troubles to God.
‘Lord, you are my light, able to disperse the darkness of what I face. I acknowledge that too often when anxiety comes, I fail to see you in the picture. I am in the dark. My Light, show me yourself as Lord, ruling over and present in all that I face. My Salvation, may I see you as the one who will bring me through in the way you see best. My Stronghold, may my soul find protection behind the impregnable walls of your care.’
- Petition, v4-5
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.
David’s confident declaration stems from abiding in God’s presence. He wants to live where heaven meets earth. Fear diminishes heaven. So, the king desires to contemplate the beautiful mercy, kindness, steadfast love, and faithfulness of his covenant Lord in the house of the Lord. In Christ, we become this new living temple.
‘Lord, in anxiety, my thoughts can be distracted and noisy with many things. But one thing must absorb me. Lord, I want to see your sovereign control, your power, your care, your wisdom over and in all that would burden and frighten me. May the beauty of your love drench my situation with its light. May the beauty of your presence permeate all that I face. May the grace of heaven meet my fears on earth.’
- Offering, v6
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
David may feel unworthy to come into the presence of a holy God. Do his past sins prevent him? There is an offering made which allows him to approach.
‘Lord, I don’t feel worthy to be here. In the pressures, I know that I can fail to trust and obey. Thank you that Christ made a once for all sacrifice for my sins, even for failures in the midst of weakness.’
- Praise, v6
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
The king’s declaration of confidence is sung out. What psalm, hymn or song might express confidence in the midst of your fears?
‘Lord, I sing and praise and thank you that you are my light, and salvation and stronghold.’
Prayer, v7-14:
talk honestly to the Lord in your fears
In the second part of the psalm, fear strikes. The tense moves to second person. We move from the stillness of sanctuary to the intensity of war. How do we respond in the moment?
- Turn, v7-10
Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me!
The enemy nears, panic strikes, and the king turns with urgency to the Lord. No doubt his army is marshalled and strategy planned. But if the Lord is his light, salvation and stronghold, the most sane priority is to seek His face. The Lord’s face portrays intimate friendship. The king is embraced as a child.
‘Lord, help! I cry to you! Have pity and hear me! I seek your nearness, your love, your care, your face. I am yours. In Christ, I am brought into your family. You are with me. Your arms are round about. Thank you, Father.’
- Teach me, v11
Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
David wants to feel less anxious. But his priority is to walk in the right way before God. He wants to be taught that way, even in the midst of fear. This is a heart of humble need that seeks to know the next right step.
‘Lord, I feel overwhelmed, distracted, unsettled. But lead me to focus on what is right in your eyes. What is the next good thing to do? What is the next step of love toward my neighbour? I want to nestle under your teaching and care, my Father, ready to hear and learn.’
- Take courage, v14b
‘…be strong and take heart;’
The king is called to take heart. The goal is not calm, but courage. Courage to take the next steps, face the feared situation or people – courage in the midst of a body that still feels fear.
‘Lord, I feel weak. I feel anxious. But you are the Lord over all that I am facing. You bring light into all I face, you are the one who delivers, you are my place of refuge, and you are with me. You change everything. May you strengthen me to move into what I fear with courage, to do your will.’
- Tarry, v14a,c
…and wait for the LORD.
The king knew that war rarely ended quickly. Pain and weakness would last. Combat would drain energy. There would be waiting. This was an active, enduring and persevering waiting that anticipates God’s salvation. God would intervene in his way, in his time.
‘Lord, the anxiety doesn’t settle. Things aren’t changing. Strengthen me to wait on you. You will act as you see best. May I endure in your strength. May I wait as you act. Give me eager eyes to see what you are doing. And in waiting may I abide in your presence. Give a persistent gaze to see your beauty. As I wait.’
