Psalm 27

Elul 1 through Sukkot

Psalm 27 is read daily by many congregations between the first day of the sixth month (Elul) and The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). The month of Elul is viewed as a month of repentance and preparation. A time for introspection, a time for restoration, and a time for repaired relationships.

Elul precedes the month of Tishrei which contains the “High Holy Days.” They include:

Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

The psalm contains allusions to these all-important Appointed Times.

Yom Teruah

The word “teruah” means an alarm, shout, or signal. It can be the sound of a trumpet blast or the cry or shout of a person.

Yom Kippur

Kippur comes from a verb meaning to cover or atone. Yom Kippur is a day when the High Priest “seeks the face of God.”

Sukkot

Sukkot is the plural form of the word “sukkah.” A sukkah is a booth, a temporary dwelling place.

Let’s read our psalm and highlight its connections to the upcoming Appointed Times.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I 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 inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His Sukkah

in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore

I will offer sacrifices of teruah

in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said,

Seek My face

my heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! – Psalm 27 (modified NKJ)

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