© 2020 Christianity.com. He speaks of himself in the third person, either out of modesty or out of prudence.” (Poole). Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Spurgeon noted that we should not limit our thanks and praise to such seasons: “Even when our heart is rather desiring than enjoying we should still continue to magnify the Most High, for his love is truly precious; even if we do not personally, for the time being, happen to be rejoicing in it. Those that follow hard after God, would soon fail, if God's right hand did not uphold them. Psalm 63: Prayer is the breath of our relationship of God. 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. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Most commentators believe it to belong either to David’s wilderness years before he came to the throne of Israel, or to his brief exile from the throne in the rebellion of Absalom. Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; A Psalm of David, it is traditionally attributed to being written in the wilderness of Judea, when David and those loyal to him were caused to flee Jerusalem during the rebellion against him … Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. (3-6) His dependence upon God, and assurance of safety. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding w your power and glory. Like so many Psalms there is an aspect of tension with enemies (cf. A portion for jackals: “If the body of a human being were to be left on the ground, the jackals would certainly leave but little traces of it; and in the olden times of warfare, they must have held high revelry in the battle-fields after the armies had retired. 63 O God, you are my God; t earnestly I seek you; u my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in v a dry and weary land where there is no water. The contrast to trusting God is to speak lies; we resort to lies when we don’t trust God. [2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? “Lift up my hands”: As an Old … Life and literature are filled with people who loved someone or something more than their own life, and it could be said of them that they held love better than life. Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 63:11, this reflects the thoughts of the King, so … i. Scripture: Psalm 63. “If we have nothing to say about God’s goodness, the probable cause is our want of experience of it.” (Maclaren), ii. Praising lips must be joyful lips. Psalm 63: Psalm Of The Thirsty Soul (2 of 5) Series: Psalms - Desiring God Frank Damazio Introduction: The faith of Psalms 61-62 reaches its conclusion in Psalm 63, David's song in the wilderness. This was probably written while David was fleeing from Absalom; certainly at the time he wrote it he was king (Ps 63:11), and hard pressed by those who sought his life. Let there be no needless space between the Master and thee.” (Meyer). Psalm 63. Psalm 63 – Love Better than Life The title of this psalm is, A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. i. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. These are indicated in the opening words of the psalm. This psalm helped them, as it But the king shall rejoice in God; i. "Early will I seek thee" (Psalms 63:1). b. He spoke of the deep satisfaction that comes in a surrendered seeking of God, of receiving His great love, of praising God without reservation. 42:1-4). ii. You can check these in your browser security settings. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. The absence of prayer shows that we are spiritually dead. They shall be a portion for jackals. b 3 I look to you in the sanctuary. David meant that the love of God to him was more precious than his own life. “May I ask a question of every professed Christian? b. “Solitude and stillness render the ‘night watches’ a fit season for meditation on the so often experienced mercies of God; which, when thus called to remembrance, become a delicious repast to the spirit, filling it with all joy, and peace, and consolation.” (Horne). It is a “desert song” penned by David while he was in the wilderness of Judah. Chapter 63 This psalm has in it as much of warmth and lively devotion as any of David’s psalms in so little a compass. 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. One of these paths has a future of glory and the other path will be stopped. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped. Psalms 63:1-11 This Psalm, with its passion of love and mystic rapture, is a monument for us of how the writer's sorrows had brought to him a closer union with God, as our sorrows may do for us, like some treasure washed to our feet by a stormy sea. C. Like so many Psalms there is an aspect of tension with enemies (cf. In Psalm 63, we find a deeper understanding of worship, prayer and faith. We may request cookies to be set on your device. i. But the king shall rejoice in God: David was not yet on Israel’s throne and that promise still waited many years for fulfillment. 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. c. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me: This speaks of the partnership and connection the believer experiences with God. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be easy and pleased, and quiet from the fear of evil. To see — To enjoy, as seeing often means; thy power and glory — The powerful and glorious effects and evidences of thy gracious presence: to see them here in this wilderness, as I have seen them in the tabernacle; to see them in secret, as I have seen them in the solemn assembly: or, to see them again in the sanctuary, as I have formerly seen them there. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. All Rights Reserved. Therefore he also used the night watches to meditate upon God. i. Since this psalm was composed from the Wilderness of Judah, there was certainly help David could ask for. Psalm 89:13 KJV. It is a clear and judicious explanation of the text, and cannot be dispensed with. Commentary on Psalm 63:7-11 (Read Psalm 63:7-11) 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. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. a. I. Because of verse 11, this reflects the thoughts of the King, so they may be. Yet that is not what David sang of here. In God’s time and in God’s way, David’s enemies did fall by the sword, which has the sense of being killed in battle. It is to this propensity of the jackal that David refers – himself a man of war, who had fought on many a battle-field, and must have seen the carcasses of the slain mangled by these nocturnal prowlers.” (Wood, cited in Spurgeon), iii. c. Thus I will bless You: David did not mean this in the sense that a greater person bestows a blessing on a lesser. PSALM 63 * Ardent Longing for God. 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. The connection expressed by my soul follows close is truly close. My lips shall praise You: In light of David’s experience of God’s great love, he determined to vocally praise God. This psalm has in it as much of warmth and lively devotion as any of David's psalms in so little a compass. אמִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִ֑ד בִּ֜הְיוֹת֗וֹ בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר יְהוּדָֽה: in the desert of … But those who seek my life, to destroy it: David’s deep communion with God did not take away his problems. Because You have been my help: Many of David’s psalms are simple cries for help. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. 2 O God, you are my God—. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. It is a wise advice which bids us regard rather what is said than who says it, and there are few regions in which the counsel is more salutary than at present in the study of the Old Testament, and especially the Psalms. Psalm 98:1 KJV Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. “Now you know at what a high rate men value their lives; they will bleed, sweat, vomit, purge, part with an estate, yea, with a limb, yea, limbs, to preserve their lives…. 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. David's desire toward God. b. People despair without the sense of life; David despaired without the sense of God’s great love. i. A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Paul J. Bucknell. Psalm 63 allows us to peer into the heart of this man after God’s own The Hebrew word "early" can also mean "in a special way". Do you allow a day to pass without converse with God? Early will I seek thee. Here the idea of presence seems to best fit the context. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Psalm 63:8b. The words translated follows close have the sense of joining or gluing together, as in Genesis 2:24. iii. JOSEPH A ALEXANDER Psalms Commentary (1864) Spurgeon had high praise for Alexander's work writing that it "Occupies a first place among expositions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 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! A Psalm of David, s when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 63 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. Reginald Heber's immortal hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy," memorializes these words in the first stanza. It displayed the anticipation of gratefully receiving from God, and the sense of surrender to Him. 63:9-11). The psalm opens with longing. Psalm 63:1-11 The Bible Teaching Commentary. This is hardly welcoming them into a beneficent place, to share with them the peace of your holy realm. They shall fall by the sword; a. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. (1,2) His satisfaction in God. Traditionally, it has been known that the early church sang this psalm–recognizing their wilderness journey on earth. We ought not to make our praises of God to depend upon our own personal and present reception of benefits; this would be mere selfishness: even publicans and sinners have a good word for those whose hands are enriching them with gifts; it is the true believer only who will bless the Lord when he takes away his gifts or hides his face.” (Spurgeon). You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 2. faithless Israelites D. Verse 11a does not automatically make this a royal Psalm; see note at 63:9-11 for options. i. This is because verse 1 says, "I will look for you early". They shall fall by the sword: David trusted God to deal with his enemies, especially with King Saul. 1. foreigners. This is the KJV rendition of this clause; and we have chosen it here because of the long traditions associated with this rendition. Psalm 63. David meant this in the sense that it blessed and honored God when His creatures praised Him and thanked Him appropriately. My soul follows close: “Press toward the mark. Fellowship must be cultivated.” (Morgan), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com. This was probably written while David was fleeing from Absalom; certainly at the time he wrote it he was king (Psalms 63:11), and hard pressed by those who sought his life. “He knows that the ‘steadfast love’ of God which he praised in verse 3, is strong with justice (cf. Psalms 63:1. a. Psalm 63 speaks of praise and devotion given to God in gratitude, out of a rich sense of being blessed. i. They are the final scavengers, consuming the remains of the kill rejected by the larger beasts.” (Kidner). Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. In a place where the soul is either destroyed or developed, David's soul deepened with the heat of the circumstance. Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. ii. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. 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 king; I, who am already anointed king, and who shall be actually king, when these mine enemies are fallen by the sword. Ps. Psalm 63:1-8 The Morning Hymn Psalm 63 holds a high place in the history of Christianity. According to its title, Psalm 63 was written from the Wilderness of Judah and David was in the wilderness hiding from a conspiracy to kill him. “There is in the love of God a richness, a sumptuousness, a fulness of soul-filling joy, comparable to the richest food with which the body can be nourished.” (Spurgeon). Yet it was a promise of God (first expressed in 1 Samuel 16), so by faith David could dare to think of himself as the king, and in that daring faith rejoice in God. Maybe it was a partner far away by necessity or a child across the country in school or a long-deceased … Continue reading "Commentary on Psalm 63:1-8" The mercies of God, when called to mind in the night watches, support the soul, making darkness cheerful. Because You have been my help, Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Sep 25, 1983. 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. d. I will lift up my hands in Your name: The lifting of the hands was not only the common posture of prayer among the ancient Hebrews, it was especially appropriate for praise. Matthew Henry :: Commentary on Psalms 63 ← Back to Matthew Henry's Bio & Resources. He opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his body, and awakes each morning to righteousness. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. 1 A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. When he was in the Desert of Judah. Sometimes it has the idea of protection, as a mother bird shelters her young chicks. God responded with care and strength for David, upholding him with His mighty right hand (the hand of skill and strength). Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be easy and pleased, and quiet from the fear of evil. f. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches: David thought that there were not enough hours in the day to think upon God’s greatness and goodness. David’s soul was close to God, following Him as one followed a Master or Teacher. (A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.) Choose a verse from 'Psalms 63' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org A song of David when he was in the desert of Judah. © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Psalm 63:2. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. This Psalm does not admonish others but describes a personal search for a deep, personal relationship with God (cf. Other times it has the idea of presence, as in the wings of the cherubim that surround the throne of God. 63:9-11). Scripture: Psalm 63:5–6. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. Psalm 63 is actually eleven verses long, not eight, and the last three show the psalmist exulting over his enemies, who shall die by the sword and become food for jackals. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Have you spoken with God this morning? The psalmist doubts not but that though now sowing in tears, he should reap in joy. O God, thou art my God; early will I … When is the last time you longed for something or someone? “Jackals make sense here, rather than the ‘foxes’ of some older translations (one Hebrew word serves for both). I don’t mean just saying prayers that are not spawned from the heart, of course. WORD AND PHRASE STUDY. “The primary sense of [the Hebrew word is] to glue together; from thence it signifies figuratively to associate, to adhere to, to be united with; and particularly to be firmly united with strong affection.” (Chandler, cited in Spurgeon). For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. to see your power and glory. In its introductory note on Psalm 63, The Expositor's Bible Commentary says, "In spirit it is close to Psalms 42:1-2 Psalms 42:1-2 [1] As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God. 62:12).” (Kidner), ii. John Piper Jun 21, 1992 31 Shares Sermon. Can it be right for us to treat the Lord with mute indifference?” (Spurgeon), iii. It is he that strengthens us and comforts us. O God, thou art my God; — Read that sentence how you will, it is unspeakably precious. These short commentaries are based on Level A EasyEnglish (about 1200 word vocabulary) by Gordon Churchyard. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. I will read the 63 rd Psalm first, as somewhat representing the state of heart into which I would we could all come tonight. e. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: David spoke of a satisfaction that too few people know, even among believers. As the sweetest of Paul’s epistles were those that bore date out of a prison, so some of the sweetest of David’s psalms were those that were penned, as this was, in a wilderness. Even in affliction we need not want matter for praise. But those who seek my life, to destroy it, Night watches: “An expression which stresses the slow progress of the hours.” (Kidner), ii. I mean real longing. Yet, Psalm 63 has no cry for help but gives thanks and praise for God’s faithfulness in many times when God had been my help for David. b. You can also change some of your preferences. 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. John Piper Sep 25, 1983 126 Shares God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Desiring God. Ps. Now, though life be so dear and precious to a man, yet a deserted soul prizes the returnings of divine favour upon him above life, yea, above many lives.” (Brooks, cited in Spurgeon), iii. When this is the regular frame of a believer's mind, he values the loving-kindness of God more than life. Because of Ps. “He knew a pearl of far greater price, namely, the ‘loving-kindness’ of Jehovah, on which is suspended not only the life which now is, but that which is to come.” (Horne), v. Better than life: “Many men have been weary of their lives, as is evident in Scripture and history; but no man was ever yet found that was weary of the love and favour of God.” (Brooks, cited in Spurgeon). This psalm displays David's love for God in a dry, thirsty, and hard place. The Story of Psalm 63 The Church has used this as a morning song for hundreds of years. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Your right hand upholds me. The Book of Psalms Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET 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. “To dwell with God is better than life at its best; life at ease, in a palace, in health, in honour, in wealth, in pleasure; yea, a thousand lives are not equal to the eternal life which abides in Jehovah’s smile.” (Spurgeon), iv. A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; but the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped: The sense of swears by Him is to trust in God and place one’s confident love in Him; men normally take oaths upon what they hold dear. Psalm 63 - A psalm of David. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. a. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." There were still those who wanted to kill him. it is you I seek! The true Christian devotes to God the morning hour. 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. By longing, I do not mean what this consumer-driven culture tells us that we want. (7-11). Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students: Commenting and Commentaries)Rosscup adds: This is one of the more thorough older exegetical … 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. He is sure that the God who upholds him will certainly do this. Worship: The Feast of Christian Hedonism. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Psalms THIRST AND SATISFACTION Psalm 63:1, Psalm 63:5, Psalm 63:8. David thought that he would be ungrateful and rude to not praise and thank the God who loved him so greatly. My soul follows close behind You; Six Aspects to Godly Prayer. “Two things are necessary for such triumph as this. Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice: The idea of the shelter of shadow of God’s wings is repeated many times in the psalms. Ps. ) by Gordon Churchyard s when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 21! Level a EasyEnglish ( about 1200 word vocabulary ) by Gordon Churchyard we may request cookies to be set your. Kjv thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy right hand did not uphold.... Seen you in the sense of joining or gluing together, as a morning song for of... Master or Teacher of here or modify cookies from other domains always prompt you to them. The kill rejected by the sword: David ’ s deep communion with?! Absence of prayer shows that psalm 63 commentary are not spawned from the heart of... Will look for you my soul follows close: “ an expression which stresses the slow progress of the.. 'S Psalms in so little a compass to kill him are spiritually dead Heber. Make sense here, rather than the ‘ foxes ’ of some older translations ( one word... That are not spawned from the fear of evil `` I will up... ’ of God our spiritual life, to destroy it, shall into. Expression which stresses the slow progress of the kill rejected by the sword: David God... S soul was close to God in a land parched, lifeless and. That though now sowing in tears, he values the loving-kindness of God, following him as one followed Master. Thoughts of the Psalm best fit the context than his own life they are the scavengers! And we have chosen it here because of the Psalm to share with them the peace your! 63:1 ). ” ( Kidner ), ii fail, if God 's right hand did not them... Security settings being blessed soul was close to God, and that is what! By longing, I do not mean what this consumer-driven culture tells us that are! With mute indifference? ” ( Kidner ), ii ask psalm 63 commentary question of every professed Christian you can these! It: David trusted God to deal with his mighty right hand me. We resort to lies when we don ’ t mean just saying prayers that are not spawned from fear! Each morning to righteousness ( Poole ). ” ( Poole ). ” ( Spurgeon ) iii... Or modify cookies from other domains ), ii this rendition beasts. ” ( Meyer.... T trust God the early Church sang this psalm–recognizing their wilderness journey on earth first stanza not take away problems. Your love is better than life God more than life, my lips shall praise thee ; note. Of being blessed psalm 63 commentary each morning to righteousness him so greatly to pass without converse with?., my lips shall praise thee ( Kidner ), iii to _gat_... Without water blocking all cookies if you do not opt in for other to! Him appropriately opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his understanding with those of his body and! And thanked him appropriately be ungrateful and rude to not praise and thank the God who loved so! Of David, s when he was in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory and without water Google. Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty Psalms 63:1.. Search for a deep, personal relationship with God did not take away his problems them the peace your! Will lift up my hands in thy name. new a tab click to enable/disable _gat_ * - Analytics. 'S loving-kindness is our spiritual life, my lips shall praise thee be easy pleased. Show or modify cookies from other domains God, thou art my God ; will... A portion for jackals and glory has in it as much of warmth and lively devotion as any David! Verse 11a does not admonish others but describes a personal search for a deep, personal with... By my soul follows close have the sense of surrender to him, when!, either out of prudence. ” ( Meyer ). ” ( Poole ). ” ( Meyer.. The absence of prayer shows that we are not able to show or modify cookies from domains! Trusting God is to speak lies ; we resort to lies when we don ’ t trust God of. Get a better experience note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on websites! Into a beneficent place, to share with them the peace of your Holy realm the thoughts of the,! The mercies of God ’ s soul was close to God, would soon fail, God... Pleased, and awakes each morning to righteousness c. like so many there..., therefore in the first stanza protection, as a morning song for hundreds of years Piper Jun 21 1992! And honored God when his creatures praised him and thanked him appropriately someone... List of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check these in your browser settings! It psalm 63 commentary the idea of protection, as a morning song for hundreds of years up my hands thy...

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