Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 27:10
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
10. When my father &c.] Or, as R.V.,
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but &c.
A proverbial expression. (Comp. ‘ bereavement to my soul,’ Psa 35:12). Though he is friendless and forsaken as a deserted child, Jehovah will adopt him and care for him. His love is stronger than that of the closest human relations. Cp. Isa 49:15; Psa 103:13.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
When my father and my mother forsake me – If they should do it. The psalmist supposes it possible that this might occur. It does occur, though very rarely; but the psalmist means to say that the love of God is stronger and more certain than even that of a father or mother, since he will never forsake his people. Though every other tie that binds heart to heart should dissolve, this will remain; though a case might occur in which we could not be sure of the love that naturally springs out of the most tender earthly relationships, yet we can always confide in His love. See the notes at Isa 49:15.
Then the Lord will take me up – Margin, will gather me. The margin expresses the usual meaning of the word. It is sometimes used as referring to the hospitable reception of strangers or wanderers into ones house: Jdg 19:15, Jdg 19:18; Jos 20:4. The meaning here is, that if he should be forsaken by his nearest earthly friends, and be an outcast and a wanderer, so that no one on earth would take him in, the Lord would then receive him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 27:10
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Perishable good measured against the unchangeable portion
Change is earths perpetual motto. It is grown on her ever-varying seasons; it gives material for her daily history; and it marks with chequered and subtle lines the biographies of her happiest sons. It were an unprofitable question to inquire how far, apart from religious considerations, man is the better for this law of change. He loves it not. He would be content with a much smaller amount of earthly comforts could they but be made permanent and secure for him. But this security never can be given, and even where it is given to the largest extent possible to human circumstances, men are restless and discontented still, always desiring something other than it is. But as this desire of change tells us that we are not as our Creator made us, so the existence of change tells us that this world is not our home. In heaven we shall require no change, and it will furnish none. There will be progression, but not change. The soul may be nearing ira approaches to the blessedness and purity of its Author, without ever finding the terminus of its own perfection, or feeling that it can expand no more. But here the soul is subject to change. Now it soars aloft on hopes joyous pinion; now falls, with its broken wing, into the pit of despair. And who of all men knew the vicissitudes of life more than the author of this psalm? But David had learned when earthly joys failed him to set his heart on heavenly ones. Let us, then, consider–
I. the precarious tenure in which we hold every earthly blessing. Health, life, possessions, intellect, home affections–what security have we that any of these things will last? Do we not know how easily they may, any or all of them, be broken in upon and lost?
II. the sufficiency of the Christians portion when all other blessings fail. God seems to say, I must remind them that this is not their home: I must cause that cherished object to forsake them, in order that My infinite mercy may take them up. But we may be certain that the Christians portion is sufficient because:
1. Of the comprehensiveness of the Divine assurances.
2. Of the perfections of the Divine character.
3. The intercession of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Daniel Moore, M. A.)
Forsaken by man, favoured by God
I. that Davids father and mother, and so his nearest and dearest friends, might leave and forsake HIM.
1. Through fear of Saul.
2. By Divine disposition, for the trial of Davids faith and patience. Uses–
1. For instruction.
(1) It shows most plainly how vain and uncertain the help of man is in time of need (Psa 60:11; Psa 62:9). The mutability of his affection. The instability of his condition.
(2) See in David what may be the case of Gods own dear children, even to be forsaken of their nearest and dearest earthly friends in time of distress (Psa 68:9; Psa 68:20; 2Ti 4:16).
2. For admonition.
(1) That, seeing father and mother may forsake us, we put not our trust in men, be they never so near or dear unto us (Psa 146:3-4).
(2) That we be not dismayed when our friends do fail us (Mat 10:24-25).
II. that when Davids nearest and dearest friends forsook him, then the lord would gather him up.
1. David stood rightly and truly in covenant with God, and so was interested in Gods special providence.
2. David trusted in God (Psa 7:1; Psa 125:1; Psa 91:1, etc.).
3. David was holy in life and conversation, which gave him good assurance of special preservation (Psa 18:17; Psa 18:23).
Uses–
1. For instruction.
(1) The stability of Gods love towards those that are truly His (Heb 13:5; Joh 13:1).
(2) The happiness of the godly.
2. For admonition. It serves effectually to move every one that desires this comfortable state both to get and preserve those graces in his soul, and also to testify that behaviour in life which entitled David to it.
3. For comfort. The godly, in times of distress, must call to mind this property in God, to be more firm and faithful to those that are His than natural parents are to their dearest children. (T. Pierson.)
God our succour when others fail
1. The love of our heavenly Father towards all men, but especially His children by adoption and grace, is infinitely beyond the love of earthly parents towards their children.
(1) They may prove unnatural; their bowels may be crusted up against the fruit of their own bowels. But the Lord cannot but love His people. He can as well cease to be, as to love.
(2) Their love may be alienated by needless jealousies, or false suggestions, and so lost. But His love is durable; He loveth His own unto the end. He knoweth the singleness of their hearts, and will receive no accusation against them. They, alas, are negligent enough; unthankful, undutiful children: nay, stubborn and rebellious. But as Davids heart longed after Absalom, because he was his son, though a very ungracious one: so His bowels yearn after those that are no ways worthy to be called His sons. Forgiving all their by-past miscarriages upon their true repentance; receiving them with gladness, though they have squandered away all their portion with riotous living, if they return to Him in any time with humble, obedient, and perfect hearts; and in the meantime using very many admonitions, entreaties, and other artifices to win them to repentance; and forbearing them with much patience; that they may have space enough to repent in. And if upon such indulgences and insinuations they shall come in; He will not only welcome them with kind embraces, but do His part also to hold them in, when they are even ready to fly out again, and were it not for that hold, would in all likelihood so do.
(3) Parents affections may be so strongly biassed another way, that in the pursuit of other delights they may either forget or disregard their children. But no such thing can befall our heavenly Father, who taketh pleasure in His people and in their prosperity,
2. Fathers and mothers, through human ignorance, cannot perfectly understand the griefs of their children, nor infallibly know how to remedy them if they did. But God, who dwelleth in light, nay, who is light, knoweth the inmost recesses, the darkest thoughts and secrets of all mens hearts, better than themselves do lie perfectly understandeth all their wants, and what supplies are fittest in their respective conditions. His blessings are our daily food, His corrections our physic.
3. Whereas our earthly parents have a limited and very narrow power, and cannot therefore do their children the good they would; our heavenly Fathers power is infinite: not hindered by any resistance, or retarded by any impediments; not disabled by any casualties, occurrences, or straitness of time.
4. Our fathers and mothers, where are they? And do prophets, or Princes, or any sort of men live for ever? They all pass like a shadow, wither as grass, and are driven away as the grasshopper. When they must go, they cannot help themselves: and when they are gone, they cannot help us. They are mortal men; lie the immortal God: they are dying men; He the living God. Life is one of His prerogatives royal. And therefore, when our fathers and mothers, and friends forsake us, because either their love faileth, or their skill faileth, or their power faileth, or their life faileth: our heavenly Father, who wanteth neither love, nor wisdom, nor power, nor life, but is infinite in all; we may rest assured in every way accomplished to succour us at all assays, and to take us up. And that He will engage all these for our relief, if we will but cast ourselves wholly upon Him; we have His gracious promise to fill up the measure of our assurance. (Bp. Sanderson.)
Gods care over the forsaken
On the topmost stone of the Royal Exchange in the centre of London is carved a large grasshopper. That figure is a sermon in stone upon this text. Some four hundred years ago a woman was passing along a country lane some miles from London, and placed a baby boy under a hedge, carefully wrapped up in a shawl. Soon after a boy passed by on his way home from school, and his attention was attracted to a grasshopper that crossed his path. Stooping down to find it, he saw the baby fast asleep. He joyfully took it home to his mother, who adopted the little stranger. The forsaken child thus providentially saved became one of Londons greatest merchants, and after years of prosperity he built the Royal Exchange.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 10. When my father and my mother forsake me] Or, more literally, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me; but the Lord hath gathered me up.” My parents were my protectors for a time; but the Lord has been my Protector always. There is no time in which I do not fall under his merciful regards.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Forsake me; or, leave me; as being unable to help me, and rather a burden than a help to me; for which reason David desired them to leave him, and disposed of them in another place, 1Sa 22;. Or his father and mother were now dead. Or by his father and mother he may signify his near relations and friends, which forsook him in the time of trouble, as men usually do. Or the words may be rendered, though my father and mother should forsake me. Then; or, yet, as the Hebrew vau frequently signifies.
Will take me up; or, will receive me, to wit, to himself, as this verb is used, Jos 20:4; Jdg 19:15; Mat 23:37.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. In the extremity of earthlydestitution (Psa 31:11; Psa 38:11),God provides (compare Mt 25:35).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
When my father and my mother forsake me,…. Which is not to be understood strictly and literally of his parents, that were in that near relation to him according to the flesh, nor of anything that had past; not of his parents leaving him to shift for himself, after having brought him up; nor of his father being unmindful of him, when Samuel came to anoint one of his sons to be king; nor of any slight and neglect of him by them when persecuted by Saul; nor of their inability to help him then; see 1Sa 22:3; but this is to be understood of something supposed yet to come; and it seems best to interpret it of his nearest and dearest friends, his closest adherents, best counsellors, and most firm allies; that when they should fail and drop him, his God would not leave him: the design of it is to set forth the love and care of God, as superior to that of the most affectionate friends; see Isa 49:14;
then the Lord will take me up; like a foundling in the street, and such are called, in the Talmudic language, “persons gathered up” i; and so the words may be rendered here, “then the Lord will gather me” k; into his arms and bosom, and under the wings of his protection, and at last to himself in glory.
i T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 69. 1. k “colliget me”, Pagninus, Montanus; “collegit me”, Musculus, Vatablus, Gejerus; so Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
10. When my father and my mother shall forsake me. As it appears from the sacred history, that Jesse, so far as his opportunity admitted, performed his duty to his son David, some are of opinion that the nobles and councillors are here mentioned allegorically; but this is not suitable. Nor is it with any reason that they urge this scruple. David does not complain that he was unnaturally betrayed by his father or mother; but by this comparison he magnifies the grace of God, declaring, that he would ever find him ready to help him, although he might be forsaken of all men. The Hebrew particle כי, ki, for the most part, signifies for, but it is also known to be often employed for the adverb of time, when. David, therefore, meant to intimate, that whatever benevolence, love, zeal, attention, or service, might be found among men, they are far inferior to the paternal mercy with which God encircles his people. The highest degree of love among men, it is true, is to be found in parents who love their children as their own bowels. But God advances us higher, declaring, by the prophet Isaiah, that though a mother may forget the child of her womb, he would always be mindful of us, (Isa 49:15.) In this degree does David place him, so that he who is the source of all goodness far surpasses all mortals, who are naturally malevolent and niggardly. It is, however, an imperfect mode of speech, like that in Isa 63:16,
“
Doubtless, thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not.”
The purport of the whole is this: However inclined by nature earthly parents are to help their children, nay, though they should endeavor to cherish them with the greatest ardor of affection, yet should affection be wholly extinguished in the earth, God would fulfill the duty both of father and mother to his people. From which it follows, that we basely undervalue the grace of God, if our faith rise not above all the affections of nature; for sooner shall the laws of nature be overturned a hundred times, than God shall fail his people.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
10. When my father mother forsake me The extremest case of abandonment is supposed, in order the more forcibly to illustrate the faithfulness of God. To such a one no human friends could be expected to remain. See Isa 49:15; Psa 103:13.
Take me up Literally, gather me, as a parent gathers or takes in his arms and to his home the child that is in danger. See the sense in Deu 22:2: “Thou shalt bring it unto thine own house.” Isa 57:1: “The righteous is taken away” preserved, rescued.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then YHWH will take me up.
But in the end he is confident that even though his father and his mother forsake him, and he is cast off by his family and tribe, YHWH will take him up. We are reminded of Jesus’ words to His disciples about the fact that some of them must expect rejection even by their own families (Mat 10:21-22; Mat 10:35-36; Mar 13:12-13). That is what can be the result of following Him wholly. For when men follow God they can never know what it will involve. But at such moments they can remember, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man will do to me’ (Psa 118:6, cited in Heb 13:6). Compare here Isa 49:15, ‘shall a woman forget her breast-feeding child, that she should not have compassion on the son that she bore? Yes she may forget, yet will I not forget you. Behold I have engraved you on the palm of my hand’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Psa 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Ver. 10. When my father and my mother forsake me ] Or, For my father and my mother do forsake me (that is, they are not able to help me), but thou, &c., 1Sa 22:1 ; 1Sa 22:3 . There is an ocean of love in a parent’s heart toward their even untoward children, as was in David toward Absalom, after all his unnatural miscarriages; insomuch as Joab upbraideth him with it, 2Sa 19:6 . But all the mercies of all the fathers and mothers in the world put together make not the tithe of God’s mercy toward his children, Isa 41:15 .
Then the Lord will take me up
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
take me up = receive and protect me with His saints.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
When: Psa 69:8, 2Sa 16:11, Isa 49:15, Mat 10:21, Mat 10:22, Mat 10:36
the Lord: Joh 9:35, Joh 16:32, 2Ti 4:16
take me up: Heb. gather me, Isa 40:11
Reciprocal: Exo 2:8 – Go
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 27:10. When my father and mother forsake me That is, the nearest and dearest friends I have in the world, from whom I may expect most relief, and with most reason; when they either die, or are at a distance from me, or are unable to help me in the time of need, or are unkind to me, or unmindful of me, and will not help me; when I am as helpless as ever poor orphan was that was left fatherless and motherless, then I know the Lord will take me up, as a poor wandering sheep is taken up, and saved from perishing. His time to help those that trust in him is when all other helpers fail, when it is most for his honour and their comfort: with him the fatherless find mercy. This promise has often been fulfilled in the letter of it. Forsaken orphans have been taken under the special care of Divine Providence, which has raised up relief and friends for them that way that one would not have expected. God is a surer and better friend than our earthly parents are, or can be.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
27:10 {f} When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
(f) He magnifies God’s love toward his, which far passes the most tender love of parents towards their children.