Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. Psalm 63:7
God Satisfies the Thirsting Soul
Psalm 63 is a royal psalm with elements of the psalms of trust (Ps. 23). The brief biographical note in the title “when he was in the wilderness of Judah” possibly refers to an incident during the period when Saul was chasing David (1 Sam. 22-24).
David cries out of his deep longing to experience God’s presence. He suddenly realizes that his soul finds just that satisfaction through praise. With the fresh touch of God praise provides him, David has renewed confidence in the Lord and experiences a unique joy. Close personal relationship with God brings the believer to the place of praise and joy.
63:1, 2 God, You are my God: The opening words indicate faith in God. Thirsts… longs for: The poet is away from the place of God’s worship and feels the distance keenly. The sanctuary had been at Nob (1 Sam 21:1), and it was there that David had sought the presence of the Lord. Later it was moved to Jerusalem (76:1, 2).
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.
63:6 From his bed, David continues to fix his thoughts on God. Night watches: The Israelites counted three watches to the night. Evidently David is having difficulty sleeping, and he directs his thoughts to worship. Meditate means “to speak” about the things of God or to fill one’s mind with the knowledge of God.
6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
63:7, 8 in the shadow of Your wings: See 91:4 for this expression of faith in God. Your right hand: The same power of God that delivered Israel from Egypt (Ex. 15:6) would support David – and all other believers in their daily life.
7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
63:9, 10 David predicts the destruction of his enemies. They will be driven to barren places where only jackals, wild dongs of the desert, roam.
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.
63:11 The king refers to David. When he finally became king, David would find his true pleasure in God. Everyone who swears by Him refers to those who believe in the Lord.
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.
** David praises God when he’s in a bad situation. He was in the wilderness while being pursued by Saul. Instead of asking for deliverance and victory over Saul, David pursues God and. “My Soul followeth hard after thee.”
When David had trouble sleeping at night, he meditated on what God has done for him in the past and gained peace and rest. His thirst was satisfied.
63 1 A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 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 follows 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.
