Read Psalm 27:4-6

When fear has us in its icy grip, we quickly turn toward self-preservation. We hope to avoid loss, escape pain, or cheat death. Not David! His composition, preserved for us as Psalm 27, gives priority to eternal matters. Verses 4-6 revolve around the idea of David’s desire to maintain constant, intimate fellowship with his Lord.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Did you notice that the first-person singular pronoun is frequently used? It is woven through these verses—I, me, my. This is the testimony of David alone. This is a written account of a man’s private life, his personal struggles with life’s daily grinds. This is not David the public figure; it is David alone before his God.

I also observe that David says: “I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.” This is the result of maintaining a close walk with the Lord. Ephesians 5:18 commands us to be “filled with the Spirit,” to allow the Spirit of God to control us—our thinking, motives, attitudes, activity. This is vertical fellowship at its best! When we give the Holy Spirit complete control, He promises we will receive:

• a melodious heart—singing! (Ephesians 5:19)
• a thankful attitude—giving thanks! (Ephesians 5:20)
• a submissive spirit—be subject to one another! (Ephesians 5:21)

When was the last time you bust forth all alone in a song of worshipful trust? I think it is sad that the Christian’s song is seldom heard outside the church building. Living in fellowship with the Lord should cause spontaneous melodies to burst forth throughout the day and night. How encouraging to sing our faith!

Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, Living the Psalms: Encouragement for the Daily Grind (Brentwood, Tenn.: Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., 2012). Copyright © 2012 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved. Used by permission.