Psalm 63

1 "O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

3 "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 "When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follws close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.

9 "But those who seek my life, 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 jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;
But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped."


This is my favorite psalm. Look at the last stanza first, because it is vital to understand what comes before it. This psalm was written by David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. It seems like this was written after David was made king (vs. 11). Notice the two phrases, "those who seek to destroy my life," and "those who speak lies." This could very well be describing Absalom's plot to usurp David's throne, but this is mere speculation. The fact is that David is writing this psalm while his life is in danger and lies are being spoken about him. Death is at the doorstep; David stands before God, persecuted and falsely accused.

Who are the main characters? David and the Lord. Similar to Psalm 23, this poem starts off with its central theme. The opening statement is deeply personal and worshipful; David proclaims to the Lord that He is God and that they each belong to the other. Yahweh is not far off, but close and intimate and able to be found. The imagery used in reference to God is similar to imagery used by Jesus: hungering and thirsting (Matt. 5:6); following God and being held in His hand (John 10:25-29); being hidden in the shadow of the Lord's wings (Luke 13:34); and the promise of fullness of joy to be found in God (John 15:11; 16:24; 17:13). God is not an abstract idea or disconnected force. He is a friend, a lover, and a confidant in whom to find refuge in trouble.

What is David doing? There are three main thrusts throughout the psalm. The first stanza reflects David's search for God in his time of desperate need. Notice the repeated uses of verbs like "seek," "thirst," "long," and "looked." David compares his own condition to that of the desert around him - arid, parched, dry as a bone. The focus is the second stanza is praise. David has looked for God and found Him to be powerful, glorious, and full of lovingkindness. Accordingly, he ascribes the proper praise to God. Notice that David's condition has not changed in the sightest - he is still in the desert, in his cracked state, longing for the waters of refreshment. David's soul is satisfied on the basis of the person of Yahweh and his response of praise, even while his circumstances as of yet remain unchanged. And now the third stanza, where David recalls God's help in the past and the safety that he has found in the shadow of the Lord's wings. David meditates on God and rejoices, and this this theme is once again repeated in the fourth stanza, where David is castigating his enemies for their wickedness.

Where does David find refuge in trouble? Look at the locative phrases throughout the poem. In his state of need, David goes to the sanctuary to see the power and glory of God. There was a place where God could be found. David is thinking about God on his bed at night, probably because the intense stress prevented him from sleeping at night.

When is David doing these things? All the time. David seeks the Lord early, and he remembers the Lord at night. Remember that death is an imminent threat for David; nevertheless, he will praise the Lord while he lives (vs. 4). Death will not shake David's commitment to ascribe praise and greatness to Yahweh God. As long as David has breath to speak, he will bless and exalt Yahweh God.

Why can David do all this? Once again, notice that David's circumstances never change during the entire poem. I find it very interesting that not once does David say that his emotions are able to somehow overcome his circumstances; it is God who is transcendent. David never glibly denies his feelings, but he simply praises God DURING the midst of trouble. It is God who keeps him and brings him through the storm. We must never lose the focus of psalm (vs. 1) - David takes no credit for anything, it's all God.

How does David's poem apply to me? Simple ... well, it's easy to say, but impossible to do (for us, at least). David is expressing a formula, if you will, for how to handle difficult times. First, I must recognize my need for God in the midst of difficulty and search for Him. Where do I find God in 2005? In His Word, and in fellowship with others who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Second, David calls me to praise God on the basis of His character, regardless of my circumstances. God is powerful and glorious and kind; therefore, he deserves praise. No if's, and's or but's are allowed. This is hard. Third, spiritual and emotional safety is found in God. David calls me to meditate on Him, rejoice in Him, and follow hard after Him. Again, these are called for regardless of circumstances. And this is humanly impossible. Only the Holy Spirit working in us is able to accomplish these things. And so we are brought full circle to our utter need and dependence on God in everything. I am just a desert, thirsting for the refreshing rain of his power, glory, and kindness.