The Psalter is a marvelous book of prayers, displaying a dazzling array of emotions.  We are familiar with the Psalms of praise, exalting God in all splendor.  We often recite Psalms of comfort in difficult times, extolling God as shepherd, helper, rock, and fortress. 

One part of the Psalter we don’t read a great deal in worship are the Psalms of War.  These prayers call upon the God of Israel for aid in battle.  Often the language is aggressive and brutal.  God is entreated to “smash in the teeth of our enemies,” or to bless those who “smash their (enemies) babies against the rocks.”  (Evidently, Israelite warfare was heavily into smashing things.)  While this sort of language seems out of place in modern worship, these prayers are admitted into Holy Scripture without apology or footnote.

For those of us who read the Psalter regularly, we recognize the pattern of Psalm 27.  From the outset, it is a War Psalm.  The opening strains speak of “evil men” who “advance against me,”  “enemies and foes,” and “armies” who “besiege me.”  When the Psalmist starts his petition with the words “one thing I ask..” we are pretty sure we know what comes next.  Here comes the plea for God to wield the mighty sword of victory, to vindicate the Israelites against their enemies, probably by smashing something or smiting somebody.

Instead, we are startled by an urgent request for a moment of... worship.  The heart and core of this prayer is for God to show His face and give the people instruction.  Faced with the prospect of earthly terror, the Psalmist requests a moment of divine communion, an intimate encounter with the Living God.