Bible Commentaries
Psalms 63

Verses 1-11

Psalms 63

Psalm of The Thirsty Soul

In this psalm David is in the wilderness of Judah, an arid land, west of the Dead Sea, during his flight from his son, Absalom, 2 Samuel 15:23; 2 Samuel 15:28; 2 Samuel 16:2; 2 Samuel 17:16; as also mentioned, Matthew 3:1. He was thirsting often, (Heb hayeephim) both physically and spiritually, 2 Samuel 16:2; 2 Samuel 16:14; 2 Samuel 17:2.

Verse 1 confides that the living God is the God after whom David’s soul longed for fellowship. He stated "early will I seek thee," or earnestly, because his soul thirsted and his whole body longed for a closer fellowship with God; tho exiled in a dry and thirsty desert wilderness, where water could hardly be found for survival, as also related Psalms 27:4; Psalms 27:13; Psalms 42:2; Psalms 84:2; Psalms 143:6; Exodus 15:2; Zechariah 13:9.

Verse 2 adds that he earnestly longed "to see thy power and thy glory," even as he had seen it in the sanctuary at Jerusalem, in past times, in songs of praise, prayer, and worship, Psalms 43:3; 2 Samuel 15:25; Psalms 133:1-3.

Verse 3 declares "because thy loving kindness is better than life my lips shall praise thee." In the sanctuary, in the midst of Jerusalem, the city of God, in the land of the covenant, God’s loving kindness was realized as "better than life," or "life’s earthly blessings," Matthew 6:33; Psalms 30:5. For when one is spiritually right with God and His people, all ma­terial needs are made available, Philippians 4:19; Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 10:24-25.

Verses 4, 5 add that when restored to access to God’s house, from which he had been long exiled, David’s resolve was to praise and extol his name, while lifting up his hands toward the exalted, living God, Psalms 20:1; Psalms 20:5. He added that in this his soul would be satisfied with fatness of plenty as his lips and mouth burst forth with joyful praises, Psalms 23:5; Isaiah 25:6.

Verse 6 explains that as David meditated on this sure restoration to God’s sanctuary, he often stayed awake through the whole night, rejoicing on his bed through the whole night watches, as recorded La 2:19; Judges 7:19; Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 2:11; Psalms 119:55; Psalms 148:1-2; Psalms 42:2; Psalms 149:5.

Verses 7, 8 declare that the reason David could not cease to meditate on God during the night was due to His gracious help and goodness. Because of such in the past he resolved to continually rejoice under the shadow of the wings of His living, caring God, Psalms 61:4; Psalms 17:8-9; Psalms 91; Psalms 4. He added that his soul followed hard (continually) after the Lord, cleaved to Him, by day and night, Hosea 6:3; He certified that the Lord’s right hand upheld him in hours of trouble, as it did Peter when he began to sink, Matthew 14:30-31; Psalms 18:35; Psalms 60:5.

Verses 9 and 10 warn that those who sought to destroy his life and soul-influence would fall by the sword, become a portion of food for foxes or jackals that feast on dead, unburied carcasses; or go into the lower parts of the earth, as Korah did, and his company, in his rebellion, Psalms 55:15; Numbers 16:31-35; 2 Samuel 18:7-8; 2 Samuel 18:14; 2 Samuel 18:17.

Verse 11 concludes "But the king (David) shall rejoice in the Elohim God," who had anointed him to reign over His covenant people Israel, whom He would not desert to His enemies. In this hope and faith David rested his soul. He added that "every one that sweareth by him (as a token of loyalty) shall glory," come to an hour of glory, Genesis 42:15-16. But the mouth of those who spoke lies, it is asserted, "shall be stopped," permanently, or silenced in judgment from the Lord, Deuteronomy 6:13; Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 65:16; Zep 1; 5; Hebrews 6:13; Psalms 62:4.