1 O God, thou art my God; earnestly will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, In a dry and weary land, where no water is.
2 So have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy power and thy glory.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.
4 So 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 For thou hast been my help, And 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 be given over to the power of 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; For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. Psalm 64 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
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Commentary on Psalms 63 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 63
Ps 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 (Isa 26:9). The figurative terms—
dry and thirsty—literally, "weary," denoting moral destitution, suited his outward circumstances.
soul—and—flesh—the whole man (Ps 16:9, 10).
2. The special object of desire was God's perfections as displayed in his worship (Ps 27:4).
3. Experiencing God's mercy, which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for his praise (Ps 51:15).
4. Thus—literally, "Truly."
will I bless—praise Thee (Ps 34:1).
lift up my hands—in worship (compare Ps 28:2).
in thy name—in praise of Thy perfections.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
6. night—as well as day. Past favors assure him of future, and hence he presses earnestly near to God, whose power sustains him (Ps 17:8; 60:5).
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 Ps 35:8).
shall go … earth—into the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion for—
10. foxes—literally, "jackals."
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 (Ps 62:4).