O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Psalms 63 is a powerful song of longing and trust, likely written by David during one of the most difficult periods of his life. The context points to the rebellion of his son Absalom (see 2_Samuel 15-17), a time when David was forced to flee Jerusalem and traverse the harsh wilderness. This psalm beautifully intertwines David's physical hardship with his deep spiritual yearning for God. Psalms 3, 4, 5, 8, 41, and 62 are other writings that are associated with this event.
A Soul Thirsting (Psalms 63:1-2)
"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalms 63:1). David begins with an intense declaration of devotion. His soul thirsts for God with the same desperation a man in the desert craves water. This isn't just a casual desire; it's a profound, physical longing. David's experience in the dry, desolate wilderness without water prompts him to consider the thirst of his soul. What he truly thirsts for is not water but God.
He recalls the times he spent in God's sanctuary, the tabernacle, where he could "gaze upon [God's] glory" (Psalms 63:2). This memory fuels his desire to reconnect with the Lord, reminding him of the satisfaction and fulfillment he finds in God's presence. He longs for God’s glory even in the wilderness.
Better Than Life (Psalms 63:3-5)
Even in the wilderness, David finds satisfaction, joy, and comfort in praising God. "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you" (Psalms 63:3). This verse encapsulates the psalm's central theme. David recognizes that God's faithful love is more valuable than anything else, even life itself. When you, like David, realize that God’s faithfulness is more important than life-sustaining necessities such as food and water, you, too, will praise [him] with joyful lips (Psalms 63:5). Such genuine worship will sustain you in your own wilderness experiences.
His worship isn't dependent on his circumstances; it's a response to God's character. He will bless God as long as he lives and lift up his hands in prayer (Psalms 63:4). He finds satisfaction in God as if he were feasting on rich food (Psalms 63:5), demonstrating that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God, not from material comforts or favorable situations.
Remembering God in the Night (Psalms 63:6-8)
"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night because you are my help" (Psalms 63:6-7). David disciplines himself to meditate on God, because he is his helper. As he lay awake at night, David could have been consumed by his troubles. Instead, he actively chooses to focus his thoughts on God. He recognizes God as his helper, the one who provides strength and support in times of need.
He clings to God, knowing that God's "right hand upholds" him (Psalms 63:8). God’s right hand—a metaphor for his sovereign power—supports David. David’s musings should make you ask where you focus during your times of suffering. To whom do you first turn for help?
Confidence in Victory (Psalms 63:9-11)
Despite being in the wilderness, chased from his throne and hunted like an animal, David is certain that his enemies would be defeated (Psalms 63:9-10). This was not self-confidence but God-confidence. David expresses his confidence in God's justice and his assurance that his enemies will be defeated. He envisions their demise, with their bodies becoming food for jackals (Psalms 63:10).
Even though David is in the wilderness, chased from his throne and hunted like an animal, he is certain that his enemies would be defeated (Psalms 63:9-10). This was not self-confidence but God-confidence. In spite of the fact that a rebellion had taken his crown, David believes that the state of affairs was temporary. He is still the king. Thus, he would rejoice in God, knowing that the liars who oppose him would not succeed (Psalms 63:11).
He contrasts the fate of the wicked with the joy of those who trust in God. "But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped" (Psalms 63:11). Those loyal to David, who love the Lord, can expect to celebrate victory. The dishonest ones who have opposed the king, however, will be silenced forever. No matter the negative circumstances you face, put your confidence in the one whose love for you is “better than life” (Psalms 63:3).
Psalms 63 reminds us that even in the most desolate circumstances, we can find hope and strength in God. It encourages us to cultivate a deep thirst for God, to remember His faithfulness in the past, and to trust in His power to deliver us.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Psalms 63 is a powerful song of longing and trust, likely written by David during one of the most difficult periods of his life. The context points to the rebellion of his son Absalom (see 2_Samuel 15-17), a time when David was forced to flee Jerusalem and traverse the harsh wilderness. This psalm beautifully intertwines David's physical hardship with his deep spiritual yearning for God. Psalms 3, 4, 5, 8, 41, and 62 are other writings that are associated with this event.
A Soul Thirsting (Psalms 63:1-2)
"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalms 63:1). David begins with an intense declaration of devotion. His soul thirsts for God with the same desperation a man in the desert craves water. This isn't just a casual desire; it's a profound, physical longing. David's experience in the dry, desolate wilderness without water prompts him to consider the thirst of his soul. What he truly thirsts for is not water but God.
He recalls the times he spent in God's sanctuary, the tabernacle, where he could "gaze upon [God's] glory" (Psalms 63:2). This memory fuels his desire to reconnect with the Lord, reminding him of the satisfaction and fulfillment he finds in God's presence. He longs for God’s glory even in the wilderness.
Better Than Life (Psalms 63:3-5)
Even in the wilderness, David finds satisfaction, joy, and comfort in praising God. "Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you" (Psalms 63:3). This verse encapsulates the psalm's central theme. David recognizes that God's faithful love is more valuable than anything else, even life itself. When you, like David, realize that God’s faithfulness is more important than life-sustaining necessities such as food and water, you, too, will praise [him] with joyful lips (Psalms 63:5). Such genuine worship will sustain you in your own wilderness experiences.
His worship isn't dependent on his circumstances; it's a response to God's character. He will bless God as long as he lives and lift up his hands in prayer (Psalms 63:4). He finds satisfaction in God as if he were feasting on rich food (Psalms 63:5), demonstrating that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God, not from material comforts or favorable situations.
Remembering God in the Night (Psalms 63:6-8)
"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night because you are my help" (Psalms 63:6-7). David disciplines himself to meditate on God, because he is his helper. As he lay awake at night, David could have been consumed by his troubles. Instead, he actively chooses to focus his thoughts on God. He recognizes God as his helper, the one who provides strength and support in times of need.
He clings to God, knowing that God's "right hand upholds" him (Psalms 63:8). God’s right hand—a metaphor for his sovereign power—supports David. David’s musings should make you ask where you focus during your times of suffering. To whom do you first turn for help?
Confidence in Victory (Psalms 63:9-11)
Despite being in the wilderness, chased from his throne and hunted like an animal, David is certain that his enemies would be defeated (Psalms 63:9-10). This was not self-confidence but God-confidence. David expresses his confidence in God's justice and his assurance that his enemies will be defeated. He envisions their demise, with their bodies becoming food for jackals (Psalms 63:10).
Even though David is in the wilderness, chased from his throne and hunted like an animal, he is certain that his enemies would be defeated (Psalms 63:9-10). This was not self-confidence but God-confidence. In spite of the fact that a rebellion had taken his crown, David believes that the state of affairs was temporary. He is still the king. Thus, he would rejoice in God, knowing that the liars who oppose him would not succeed (Psalms 63:11).
He contrasts the fate of the wicked with the joy of those who trust in God. "But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped" (Psalms 63:11). Those loyal to David, who love the Lord, can expect to celebrate victory. The dishonest ones who have opposed the king, however, will be silenced forever. No matter the negative circumstances you face, put your confidence in the one whose love for you is “better than life” (Psalms 63:3).
Psalms 63 reminds us that even in the most desolate circumstances, we can find hope and strength in God. It encourages us to cultivate a deep thirst for God, to remember His faithfulness in the past, and to trust in His power to deliver us.