The Bible: Psalms Chapter 63: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 63 A Psalm by David, when he was in the desert of Judah.

1 God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

2 So I have seen you in the sanctuary, watching your power and your glory.

3 Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

4 So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches.

7 For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.

9 But those who seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall be given over to the power of the sword. They shall be jackal food.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him, for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be silenced.

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Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 63 A Psalm by David, when he was in the desert of Judah. Guide

Here the conviction which has been the inspiration of the two previous psalms reaches a consummation of expression. The song can hardly be divided, for it runs on in a continuous outpouring of praise. The singer is beset by difficulty and sadness, and yet the statement of this at the beginning and at the close, constitutes a background which throws into clearer relief the sure confidence of the soul in God.

Beginning with the affirmation, O God, Thou art my God, the singer declares his thirst in a dry land for the same visions of God he had seen in the sanctuary in former days. Immediately the song ascends to higher levels. The past is the inspiration of the present. Over all diverse and difficult circumstances it rises in triumph because it knows God. Happy indeed is the soul who is able to make sorrow the occasion of a song, and darkness the opportunity for shining. Two things are necessary for such triumph as this. These are indicated in the opening words of the psalm. First, there must be the consciousness of personal relationship, "O God, Thou art my God"; and, second, there must be earnest seeking after God: "Early will I seek Thee." Relationship must be established. Fellowship must be cultivated.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 63 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. David's desire toward God. -- (1, 2)
  2. His satisfaction in God. -- (3-6)
  3. His dependence upon God, and assurance of safety. -- (7-11)

Verses 1, 2

Early will I seek thee. The true Christian devotes to God the morning hour. He opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his body, and awakes each morning to righteousness. He arises with a thirst after those comforts which the world cannot give, and has immediate recourse by prayer to the Fountain of the water of life. The true believer is convinced, that nothing in this sinful world can satisfy the wants and desires of his immortal soul; he expects his happiness from God, as his portion. When faith and hope are most in exercise, the world appears a weary desert, and the believer longs for the joys of heaven, of which he has some foretastes in the ordinances of God upon earth.

Verses 3-6

Even in affliction we need not want matter for praise. When this is the regular frame of a believer's mind, he values the loving-kindness of God more than life. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. We must praise God with joyful lips; we must address ourselves to the duties of religion with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips. David was in continual danger; care and fear held his eyes waking, and gave him wearisome nights; but he comforted himself with thoughts of God. The mercies of God, when called to mind in the night watches, support the soul, making darkness cheerful. How happy will be that last morning, when the believer, awaking up after the Divine likeness, shall be satisfied with all the fulness of God, and praise him with joyful lips, where there is no night, and where sorrow and sighing flee away!

Verses 7-11

True Christians can, in some measure, and at some times, make use of the strong language of David, but too commonly our souls cleave to the dust. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be easy and pleased, and quiet from the fear of evil. Those that follow hard after God, would soon fail, if God's right hand did not uphold them. It is he that strengthens us and comforts us. The psalmist doubts not but that though now sowing in tears, he should reap in joy. Messiah the Prince shall rejoice in God; he is already entered into the joy set before him, and his glory will be completed at his second coming. Blessed Lord, let our desire towards thee increase every hour; let our love be always upon thee; let all our enjoyment be in thee, and all our satisfaction from thee. Be thou all in all to us while we remain in the present wilderness state, and bring us home to the everlasting enjoyment of thee for ever.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.