WARNING – it is probable that middle-aged (or older) Christians who read this will get songs stuck in their head. I assume you’re okay with that. It’s actually quite good for us to speak to “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

The words of this great psalm of David have often weaved their way into my preaching. However, I cannot recall ever using it as a direct text from which to build a sermon. Yet, this rich psalm deserves some meditation.

Here are six thoughts based on this beautiful Psalm. After each primary idea, I’ll share some brief encouragement. Then, enjoy some song lyrics (and links) that aren’t exactly new.

• The Lord is the salvation of your life (verses 1-3). Herein rests your confidence as a child of God. Whenever adversarial forces come, you can trust that God is the strength of your life. His salvation is often manifested as His protective power. Deliverance from every enemy is yours as you fear God alone.

“God’s got an army marching through the land
Deliverance is their song, there’s healing in their hand
There’s everlasting joy and gladness in their heart
And in this army I’ve got a part”

• The Lord is the shelter that you seek (verses 4-5). His holiness is so beautiful and awe-inspiring that your soul is magnetically drawn there. In times of trouble, His presence is your hideout from the enemy. Concealed in His love, I testify that there is no place I’d rather be.

“When the Earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ, the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend
I go to the rock”

• The Lord is your song of worship (verse 6). Music is one of God’s most potent gifts for us. The joy that comes from being in His presence naturally leads to a superfluous flow of praise and sometimes your song of praise is made sacrificially. The danger of your enemies might still be present, but your focus is on the greater One who also happens to be The Lord our Banner. With the confidence of a victor, therefore, lift up your head and sing His praise.

“Thy loving-kindness is better than life
Thy loving-kindness is better than life
My lips shall praise Thee
Thus will I bless Thee
I will lift up my hands unto Thy name”

• The Lord is the solace that you seek (verses 7-10). His power to succor is all that you need. The resources of human relationships can only go so far. And sometimes they don’t go very far at all. But the God of your salvation will take care of you.

“God will take care of you
Through everyday o’er all the way
He will take care of you
God will take care of you”

• The Lord is your smooth teacher of His ways (verses 11-13). In the heat of the battles, learn to trust your Commander-in-Chief. He’s never lost a battle, and the war has already been won. His ways are so much better than our ways. His ways form a level path for your journey from these temporary battles to the place of eternal victory. As a matter of fact, if you did not have the confidence of your eternal home called the “land of the living” – you might have given up a long time ago. How sweet it is to learn of His constant smoothness.

“I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now,
I’ve got to make it to Heaven somehow
Though the devil tempts and tries to turn me around
He’s offered everything that’s got a name
All the wealth I want and worldly fame,
But if I could, still I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now“

• The Lord is the strength of your heart (verse 14). Waiting on the Lord is rarely a natural thing. It requires unforced patience that delights in His presence. Nevertheless, the yielded result of such disciplined delays is the strength to press on. And with courage from above, you are able to continue moving forward in the faith.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings of eagles
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait“

Now that you’ve made it through these melodious thoughts inspired by the beauty of Psalm 27 let me leave you with a couple of questions. What part of Psalm 27 encourages you most? Which of these choruses are now stuck in your head?

Commit your favorite portion of Psalm 27 to memory. Once memorized, the Spirit will bring it back to your remembrance when He wants to use it to comfort you.