Psalms 27:7

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 27:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Hear, O Jehovah, when I cry with my voice: Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Hear, O Jehovah, when I cry with my voice: Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Psalms 27:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Hear, O Jehovah, when I cry with my voice: Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of the water spouts, etc.] By which are meant afflictions, comparable to the deep waters of the sea, for their multitude and overwhelming nature; (see <196901>Psalm 69:1,2) (<234302>Isaiah 43:2); these came pouring down, one after another, upon the psalmist: as soon as one affliction over, another came, as in the case of Job; which is signified by one calling to another, and were clamorous, troublesome, and very grievous and distressing; all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me: with which he seemed to be covered and overwhelmed, as a ship is at sea. It may be observed, that the psalmist calls afflictions God’s water spouts, and “his” waves and “his”…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Still pressing need extorts prayer for help. cry with my voice--denotes earnestness. Other things equal, Christians in earnest pray audibly, even in secret.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice - This earnest prayer seems to have been prompted by a returning sense of danger. He had had assurance of the divine favor. He had found God ready to help him. He did not doubt but that He would aid him; yet all this did not prevent his calling upon Him for the aid which he needed, but rather stimulated him to do it. With all the deep-felt conviction of his heart that God was ready and willing to assist him, he still felt that he had no reason to hope for His aid unless he called upon Him. The phrase “when I cry with my voice” refers to the fact that he prayed audibly or aloud. It was not mental prayer, but that which found expression in the language of…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:7-12 The psalmist requests the Lord’s mercy, presence, and instruction. God is the psalmist’s greatest good; enemies and other circumstances are peripheral. 27:7-8 Unlike the wicked (10:4), who only want a temporary advantage (78:34-36), the godly search for the Lord as a thirsty person searches for water in the desert (63:1; 105:4; 119:2, 10; Matt 6:33). They act wisely (Ps 34:10, 14) while waiting for the Lord to resolve their crisis (34:4; 69:6; 77:2; 119:58).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 4:1, Psa 5:2, Psa 130:2-4, Psa 143:1, Psa 143:2 Psalms 27:8”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Vows of thanksgiving on the assumption of the answering of the prayer and the fulfilment of the thing supplicated, are very common at the close of Psalms. But in this Psalm the prayer is only just beginning at this stage. The transition is brought about by the preceding conception of the danger that threatens him from the side of his foes who are round about him. The reality, which, in the first part, is overcome and surmounted by his faith, makes itself consciously felt here. It is not to be rendered, as has been done by the Vulgate, Exaudi Domine vocem qua clamavi (rather, clamo) ad te (the introit of the Dominica exspectationis in the interval of preparation between Ascension and…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification