Psalm 27
A hiding place
Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)
6 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle;
indeed, in the secret place of his dwelling he shall hide me, and set me high upon a rock of stone.
Several years ago, one of our New England nor’easter storms had been blowing, blowing, blowing outside, with me working at my desk on the ground level, next to a sliding glass door to our yard. I heard a popping sound and looked out the glass door to see a huge red oak falling, towards me. I had the presence of mind to step quickly under a nearby doorframe. The oak smashed through the roof, the railing on the deck, and through the wall of the dining room, all upstairs, but no further down. I was sheltered.
When I read the verse above, I’m convinced that David is thinking of a particular spot, that cave beneath where the Holy of Holies was located, atop Mt. Zion.
The Holy of Holies was above a massive natural stone formation.
In Hebrew, the stone is called Even HaShtiya (אבן השתייה), meaning “Foundation Stone,” based on texts in the Talmud and Midrash describing it as the starting point of creation.
There is a small cave in/under that stone, called the Well of Souls by Muslims and simply the Holy of Holies by Jews.
(And how is it that no one taught me about either the stone or the cave, in all the churches I’ve attended, or in seminary?!)
I believe that physical cave is “the secret place of [the LORD’s] dwelling” that David has in mind. And also the reason why occupying that spot is being “set high upon a rock of stone.” Read more here. Pics here.
To be sure, neither for David nor for us is the LORD limited to that space.
But I’m saying that physical point of reference, in the Holy of Holies, symbolizes the invisible and eternal place in the heart of God for each of his own.
So…
If something huge were to fall on the building where you are right now, where would you want to be?
Go there.
Pray: “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle.”
Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? * The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, * they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host were encamped against me, yet my heart would not be afraid, * and though war rose up against me, yet would I put my trust in him. 4 One thing have I desired of the Lord; one thing I seek: * that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, 5 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord, * and to seek him in his temple. 6 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; * indeed, in the secret place of his dwelling he shall hide me, and set me high upon a rock of stone. 7 And now he shall lift up my head * above my enemies round about me. 8 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness; * I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord. 9 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto you; * have mercy upon me and hear me. 10 You speak to my heart and say, “Seek my face.” * Your face, O Lord, will I seek. 11 O hide not your face from me, * nor cast your servant away in displeasure. 12 You have been my helper; * leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 13 When my father and my mother forsake me, * the Lord takes me in. 14 Teach me your way, O Lord, * and lead me in the right way, because of my enemies. 15 Deliver me not over to the will of my adversaries, * for there are false witnesses who have risen up against me, and those who speak wrong. 16 I would utterly have fainted, * had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 17 O wait for the Lord; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart. * O put your trust in the Lord. New Coverdale Psalter