Psalms 63

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 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; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 11 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.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 63:1

PSALM 63

Psa 63:1-11. The historical occasion referred to by the title was probably during Absalom's rebellion (compare 2Sa 15:23, 28; 16:2). David expresses an earnest desire for God's favor, and a confident expectation of realizing it in his deliverance and the ruin of his enemies.

1. early ... seek thee--earnestly (Is 26:9). The figurative terms--

dry and thirsty--literally, "weary," denoting moral destitution, suited his outward circumstances.

soul--and--flesh--the whole man (Psa 16:9, 10).

Psalms 63:2

2. The special object of desire was God's perfections as displayed in his worship (Psa 27:4).

Psalms 63:3

3. Experiencing God's mercy, which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for his praise (Psa 51:15).

Psalms 63:4

4. Thus--literally, "Truly."

will I bless--praise Thee (Psa 34:1).

lift up my hands--in worship (compare Psa 28:2).

in thy name--in praise of Thy perfections.

Psalms 63:5-8

5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.

Psalms 63:9-10

9-10. those ... to destroy it--or literally, "to ruin," or, "for ruin"; that is, such as seek to injure me (are) for ruin, appointed to it (compare Psa 35:8).

shall go ... earth--into the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion for--

Psalms 63:11

11. the king--that is, David himself, and all who reverence God, "shall share a glorious part," while treacherous foes shall be for ever silenced (Psa 62:4).

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