Thanks for joining Psalm Summer Part 3 to discuss Psalm 63. Part 2 was Vol. 275 on July 6, when we studied Psalms 46, 121, and 139. We started on June 29, with Part 1 Vol. 274 featuring the three most popular Psalms, which supposedly are Psalm 23, 91, and 27. (Note that the “most popular” designation is not data-based nor official. Only God knows the actual rankings, and I will ask Him if I ever get the chance.)
Since weeks have passed and newcomers have joined loyal readers, let’s review the previously written Psalm basics.
“Psalms are a collection of prayers, lamentations, songs, and poetry. Often, Catholic masses and other Christian worship services include Psalm verses.
“The beauty of the Psalms lies in their ability to express a wide range of human emotions, experiences, and situations, all of which point to God. The recurring themes include praising, glorifying, thanking, and fearing Him. Additionally, trust or a lack of trust in Him is often present, along with talking to or praying to God and asking for His help.
“When reading the Psalms, you understand that He is omnipresent and wants you to draw near to Him. Psalms are forever relatable, which is why they are the most frequently read book in the Bible.”
Now, we are ready to begin studying Psalm 63. The subtitle in my Bible says, “A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah,” which helps explain the text. King David was in the desert wilderness, fleeing those trying to kill him, and most scholars believe the group included David’s son Absalom. These events are chronicled in 2 Samuel Chapters 15-17.
In the desert, David writes about how he misses worshiping the Lord in Jerusalem. He professes his love for God with confidence that never fades even in this life-or-death situation. To that point, David wrote this poignant, magnificent verse about God:
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you” (Psalm 63:3).
With his unfaltering love, he seeks God’s presence and trusts the Lord to protect him so he can return to worship God in the sanctuary. Since Psalm 63 is short, we have enough bandwidth to post all 11 verses.
As you read, feel David’s love for God, juxtaposed with his suffering, while he believes that God will see him through this painful time. Imagine (or maybe you don’t have to imagine) a time in your life when you could relate to David’s tumultuous circumstances and his steadfast hope. Psalm 63 begins:
“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. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:1-4).
The next time you are suffering, read Psalm 63, pray to God, and sing His praises. Let David be your inspiration. Do you believe “God’s love is better than life?” That concept is worth pondering and must be true because God is love. He invented it!
Moving on to verses 5-8, David reflects on God’s satisfaction and protection. It reads:
“I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63: 5-8).
In these dire circumstances, David focused on his love for God. Surely that took effort when he was constantly on the run, fleeing for his life. David teaches us that during the most challenging times, you must try to focus on God, praise Him, and the blessings He has bestowed upon you. That is not an easy task when we are under duress.
Finally, verses 9-11 contrast the wicked with those who have joy and trust in God:
“Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced” (Psalm 63: 9-11).
As we have read, Psalm 63 has three distinct sections that show a progression of faith. First, David is desperate and longs for God. Second, he expressed satisfaction with the Lord during this emotional and passionate journey, writing about love, trust, and hope in a time of suffering and isolation. Third, because of his faith, David is confident about the justice that God will provide. He knows God will strike down his enemies, and David, referring to himself as “the king,” will “rejoice in God, and all who serve God will glory in him…”
Keep in mind that, while writing this Psalm, David is both physically and spiritually “thirsty,” opening with the verse:
“I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
Could that verse be a Messianic prophecy? Let’s review what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well:
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:12-14).
In Psalm 63, David thirsts for God. His faith is so great that God alone is all he longs for and all he needs in this time of danger. David wrote, “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” After writing about Psalm 63, I envy David’s faith. Am I the only one who feels this way? Please comment or email. Amen to all!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible” reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. “Part 2,” reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can join our new effort in Orlando, Florida. Contact: <Myraadams01@gmail.com>
