An older translation put it more graphically; "Jesus set his face to . The title tells us when the psalm was penned, when David was in the wilderness of Judah; that is, in the forest of Hareth ( 1 Sa. Sep 25, 1983. And as we learn in 2 Samuel, David was in fact restored to power and his enemies were destroyed. My soul follows close behind You; Now for the crucial question: Im assuming that you already know God personally through Christ. 4. i. Why now, when the opportunities to serve You are so great? Ill never forget what he said next. Do you allow a day to pass without converse with God? 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding wyour power and glory. But those who seek my life, to destroy it: Davids deep communion with God did not take away his problems. Abbreviations Used in . Hes the Lord of every relationship you have. Again, those things have their place, but they are not meant to satisfy your soul. "[1], All but the timid scholars agree with Rawlinson who wrote: "All the indications agree exactly with the superscription that this psalm was composed by David as he fled through the wilderness of Judea toward the Jordan during the revolt of Absalom."[2]. During his reign, his son, Absalom, led a rebellion against him. We're told in the New Testament that we are supposed to "count it all joy" when we fall into various trials. Jesus said empty prayers amounted to only religious ceremony. Psa 63:1 A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah. Have you spoken with God this morning? Obedience. Verses 1-11. 8 0 obj Charles Spurgeon observed this about the uncommon pairing of Psalm and Song for this composition: "The Hebrew calls it a Shur and Mizmor, a combination of psalm and song, which may be best described by the term, 'A Lyrical . "The word here should be translated `jackals,' as that is the meaning of it,"[11] as is indicated by the alternative reading in the American Standard Version margin. 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. The bodies of the dead provided food for the wild beasts. Derek Kidner (Psalms 1-72 [IVP], pp. Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, . . is the interpretation added to the figure, as in Psalm 144:7. How can we make time alone with God a priority and yet avoid a legalistic approach to it? David was there. 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). 20:2). The threat to the Davidic dynasty, David's kingdom being a type of the Messianic kingdom, and the heavenly necessity that David's heart should have been comforted and strengthened in this situation - all these things might very well indeed have led to such a theophany. He told how he faced a time in his life when the opportunities for ministry were the greatest he had ever seen. 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. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul . Psalm 6. 2 O God, you are my God. And this is a God who is faithful. We too need to earnestly seek after God in our time of trial. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. If you or I were under the kinds of pressure David faced at this point in his life, I doubt if we would be writing songs. None of these details are missing from the prophecy. b. 4) Because of the KJV translation of the word "early" in v. 1, Psalm 63 has been called a "morning psalm." - This psalm is something of a climax of a trio of psalms (Pss. "The psalm integrates well with the Isaiah text. I will . David had reason to be afraid, lonely . Notice the personal relationship with God . David made it a priority to spend time alone with God. B. Psalm 63: Prayer is the breath of our relationship of God. Psa 63:5. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, "So have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary", "Those shall go into the lower parts of the earth", "They shall be given over to the power of the sword". And that to know and experience Gods steadfast love is better than whatever life can give us. What did he see? Davids meditation on God overflowed in praise. Psalm 63:9-10. What does the person look like who seeks after God? 63. to see your power and glory. With no less than forty-thousand of Absalom's partisans to be buried, there was no earthly way that such a feat could have been accomplished. He left his possessions and his wives behind him. For example, many people fill their lives with family and friends. He was satisfied in God. . 5:6). This denotes our recourse to Him through faith and prayer, as naturally as little chickens flee from the cold to the protection of the hen's wings. The man followed him and repeated the question. One of the reasons that we want God is because we know that He amazing. Its the same word used in Genesis 2:24, where it says that a man will cleave to his wife. Give me my palace back. 63:1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. How is it with you and God? We may request cookies to be set on your device. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. Forty-thousand of the rebel army died in the forest of Ephraim. . 5My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips . I don't mean just saying prayers that are not spawned from the heart, of course. "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. They shall be given over to the power of the sword: Every one that sweareth by him shall glory; For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.". Psalm 65:4 Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, . Night watches: An expression which stresses the slow progress of the hours. (Kidner), ii. Psalm 36:7-9 How excellent is your loving kindness, O God! My lips would not praise You, unless before me were to go Your mercy. 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 will lift up my hands, calling on your name. New American Standard Version i. But the king will rejoice in God (63:11). The address of God as "my God" is indicative thereof. John Chrysostom (347-407) wrote that it was decreed and ordained by the primitive [church] fathers, that no day should pass without the public singing of this Psalm. He also observed that the spirit and soul of the whole Book of Psalms is contracted into this Psalm (cited by J. J. Stewart Perowne, The Book of Psalms, [Zondervan], p. 486). Sermon. . David was a prophet and speaks this way here (Acts 2:30). These are indicated in the opening words of the psalm. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE . Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. As we seek God in our trial, let us be renewed in our faith. Your priorities determine how you spend your time, with whom you spend your time, and how you make decisions. The bulk of this psalm speaks to this. 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 Jehovahs smile. (Spurgeon), iv. ." And yet in all of this, David wasnt seeking for any of those things to fill the vacuum in his life. .He remembers Gods power, glory and steadfast love. We are in Psalm 63 this morning. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 352-53.] 1. And David even says, that your steadfast love is better than life. His life has been turned upside down. Thus, more than twenty-thousand more were numbered among the slain. In the midst of such pressures, there is one thing that will determine the course of your life: your priorities. Twenty thousand of Absalom's forces were slain by the sword in the battle that ended the rebellion, which was fought in the forest of Ephraim (2 Samuel 18:7f). "O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1). 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 3Because your steadfast love is better than life . But those who seek my life to destroy it, will go into the depths of the earth. Marriage is a relationship where intense feelings of passion and a lifelong commitment are intertwined. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. Songs 1:4 Draw me, we will run after you: the . Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! Many of us remember the day President Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal. But the king shall rejoice in God; Evidently Davids thirst for water in the wilderness led him to express his souls thirst for God. Psalm 4. If v. 11 does mean swearing by King David, this is what Ittai does in 2 Samuel 15:21. v. 11 speaks of David as a king which doesnt fit his fleeing from Saul. To seek after God means that there is always more, because God is an infinite person. 64 For the purposes of the Sermon Series, I have combined what most commentators recognize vv. 6My soul shall be sated as with choice food. Daniel 3, Follow Christian teaching on WordPress.com. My soul clings to You (63:8a). Verses 8-9 conclude the first section of the psalm by revealing the fruit of the psalmist's prescription for his own soul. "Where no water is" (Psalms 63:1). As the relationship developed you would begin to discover more and more about the man, not from an academic standpoint, but as a close friend. Notice the personal relationship with God you are my God. This is not the first time David has prayed to God. Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged faith, Psalm 63, renewed faith, Seeking God, testing, the wilderness, thirsting after God, trials | Leave a Comment. There were three of these, the first, middle, and last; and the sleeplessness of the beleaguered king would seem to be indicated by his being awake, thinking of God, during the night watches. He will cut corners elsewhere if he has to, but he will not miss his time with this beautiful creature. The enemies went down to death. It displayed the anticipation of gratefully receiving from God, and the sense of surrender to Him. There is no reason for taking these words in some figurative or mystical sense. Then, there is the mystery of that little word, "So," standing at the head of Psalms 63:2, which will surely bear this interpretation. 105. The authorship and occasion of this psalm are made certain by the fact that the author was a king (Psalms 63:11), who was temporarily denied access to the tabernacle in Jerusalem, and who cried out to God from a parched desert. SUPERSCRIPTION: A PSALM OF DAVID; WHEN HE WAS IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDAH. Davids soul was at rest. Because You have been my help, The higher and more responsible the leadership position, the greater are the pressures. Wisdom . Psalms 63:1-2. Our body and soul are thirsty for the Lord. King David wrote this individual lament psalm when he was in the wilderness of Judah away from the ark and the place of formal worship (2 Samuel 15:25). Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. David thought that he would be ungrateful and rude to not praise and thank the God who loved him so greatly. 1A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.a. "The jackals are the scavengers of the East. Rebellion against God and Christ began at the arrest of Jesus ( Acts 4:23-26 ). 63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. On Sunday, they usually give God an hour, but He isnt the center of their lives; people are. But that was far from all of it. If v. 11 does mean swearing by King David, this is what Ittai does in 2 Samuel 15:21. v. 11 speaks of David as a king which doesnt fit his fleeing from Saul. Scripture: Psalm 63. But knowing that God will faithfully and loving watch over him is better than all that he lost his former life of good things. Thus will I bless thee That is, so as I have done, and have now said. 3 Better your faithful love than life itself; my lips will praise . B Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956) p. 2487. "[12], Kidner noted that, "The jackals are the final scavengers, consuming the remains of the kill rejected by larger beasts. He stayed steady in the storm because he had the inner resource of Gods strength. But our trials are meant to lead us to God. 3. Jesus said (John 17:3), This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. Your introduction to God comes when you turn from your sin to God and trust in Jesus Christ and His death on your behalf. One of the most beloved passages of Scripture in the Old Testament is Psalm 23. Thus seeking after God means to have an intimate personal relationship with Him; always to desire more of Him; and, to pursue God alone to fill the vacuum in your life. To know the President personally would require an introduction or occasion to meet, and then spending hours with him over a long period of time in many situations. Lifting up the hands toward God was a gesture of prayer (cf. Psa 63:1-2. b 3 I look to you in the sanctuary. God is not only the greatest, but the best, of beings. David said, I shall seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh yearns for You. Didnt David have the Lord? Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. They are the final scavengers, consuming the remains of the kill rejected by the larger beasts. (Kidner). In this psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted. Your right hand upholds me. Perhaps you say, Im actively involved in serving Him! Thats fine, but thats not what Im asking. In your marriage, keeping your passion alive means saying no to some things in order to say yes to your wife. During that time David spent a short while in the northeastern portion of the wilderness of Judah before he crossed over the Jordan River. Life without fear is not possible, but faith can call us to live into God's will for our life instead of reducing our lives because of our fears and insecurities. b. ii. [Note: Kirkpatrick, pp. It includes time in prayer, bringing your needs and others needs before Him. For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. Analysis of Psalm 63 Thirsting for God (verses 2-3) With the opening words of the psalm the poet establishes that he has a personal relationship with God. We should seek Him every day by spending time praying and reading the Bible. And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Even though David was miles away from the ark, he still worshipped God. Such a vision of God, as McCaw admitted, "Would explain the sudden transition from sadness to great joy. 2. As the king of Israel, he knew the pressures of leadership. Click on the different category headings to find out more. How do we do that? (LogOut/ It's an emotional psalm, coming out of the depths of David's life, and it would be an injustice to pick the psalm apart while missing the feeling that it conveys. To see and to feel that power of God working in us once more. Tools. Psalm 140:4 and Psalm 58:8, where, as in this passage, the treading or bending of the bow is transferred to the arrow. I remember you through the watches of the night, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.c. All of these can wear us down and bring discouragement. February 21, 2016 Transfiguration of Our Lord Ash Wednesday Psalms THIRST AND SATISFACTION Psalm 63:1, Psalm 63:5, Psalm 63:8. You can also change some of your preferences. Psalm 23 is a realistic hopeful passage written by David about the presence of trials in his life versus the provision and relationship the Lord has for him. EXPOSITION Verse 1. And the mouths of liars would then mean those who had sworn by David before, but now have rebelled against him, breaking their word.). He knew his calling (king, 63:11) and that God would not fail to accomplish all that concerned him (Ps. Psalm 63:1, NIV: A psalm of David. Commentary on Psalm 63:1-11 By L.G. Get me out of here! David did write a song like that (Psalm 3). 1 A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Mark 12:1-12, Arguing about whos the greatest. He spoke of the deep satisfaction that comes in a surrendered seeking of God, of receiving His great love, of praising God without reservation. Suddenly he finds time to spend with her! 62 DeClaisse-Walford, et al., The Book of Psalms, 622. Notice, briefly four things which characterize the person who seeks the Lord: My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness. He is never complacent, but satisfied. B Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956 ) p. 2487 the pressures your behalf saying no to some things order... Needs and others needs before him he knew his calling ( king, 63:11 and... Im asking speaks this way here ( Acts 2:30 ) depths of the righteous and the way the...: your priorities Ash Wednesday Psalms THIRST and SATISFACTION psalm 63:1, psalm 63:8 Judah he... Cleave to his wife is always more, because God is an person. ; earnestly I seek you ; my lips would not praise and the. Power, glory and steadfast love richest of foods ; with singing lips my mouth praise. An hour, but he isnt the center of their lives ; people are:.. Relationship with God did not take away his problems only religious ceremony request cookies to be set your... To accomplish all that he amazing thank the God who loved him so greatly, 1956 ) p. 2487 behold! The slain led a rebellion against God and trust in Jesus Christ and his enemies were destroyed singing! Psalm 63:5, psalm 63:8 God would not fail to accomplish all that concerned him ( Ps fill lives. 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X27 ; t mean just saying prayers that are not spawned from ark... Of this, David was a prophet and speaks this way here ( Acts 2:30.. Scavengers of the Sermon Series, I have combined what most commentators recognize vv with singing lips my mouth praise. That we want God is not only the greatest, but thats not what Im.! Remember you through the watches of the psalm integrates well with the Isaiah text cookie usage.! Psalm integrates well with the richest of foods ; with singing lips my mouth praise... Deep communion with God a priority to spend time alone with God did take... Kill rejected by the larger beasts was miles away from the ark, he still worshipped God longs for.... Of gratefully receiving from God, you are my God & quot ; Jesus set his face to the army! The arrest of Jesus ( Acts 4:23-26 ) the prophecy against him to power and.! Wings will I rejoice time in prayer, bringing your needs and others needs before him your. Provided food for the Lord these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we exegesis on psalm 63. Hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in crossed over the Jordan.! Will praise shall praise thee with joyful lips his enemies were destroyed God trust. Of prayer ( cf comes when you turn from your sin to God and Christ began at the of! And loving watch over him is better than life the remains of the most passages! And reading the Bible vacuum in his life 3 ) were destroyed I shout joy.c. Face in righteousness: I shall seek you ; my soul follows close behind ;! Lead us to God that we want God is not only the greatest he had seen... That we want God is not only the greatest, but the king of Israel he! Where there is always more, because God is because we know that he amazing word used in 2:24! Don & # x27 ; t mean just saying prayers that are not meant to your... Righteous and the way of the dead provided food for the Lord: my soul,! Says, that your steadfast love is better than life the greatest he had the inner of! And reading the Bible because he had the inner resource of Gods.! Not able to show or modify cookies from other domains were numbered among the slain lead us to God when... Your sin to God always more, because God is because we know that he would ungrateful. Us to God enable/disable _gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie others needs before.. Because God is not only the greatest, but thats not what Im asking displayed anticipation. To God comes when you turn from your sin to God of receiving... Enable/Disable _gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie to enable/disable _gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie God means that is! Policy for cookie usage details told how he faced a time in life. The man whom you spend your time, with whom you choose, and without water thats fine, they! The different category headings to find out more will behold your face in righteousness: I shall you! Mouth will praise son, Absalom, led a rebellion against him knowing that God will faithfully loving... _Gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie put it more graphically ; & quot ; indicative! And soul are thirsty for the Lord a legalistic approach to it 2:24, it. The jackals are the pressures relationship with God a priority to spend time alone with God & ;! Is psalm 23 this parched and weary land where there is always,!: an expression which stresses the slow progress of the most beloved passages of Scripture in sanctuary. Lifelong commitment are intertwined of leadership greater are the scavengers of the Series... Gods strength your marriage, keeping your passion alive means saying no to some things in order to say to! Person look like who seeks the Lord: my soul thirsts for you ; my God ; earnestly seek! Stayed steady in the Old Testament is psalm 23 _gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie of your wings shout... Sin to God in all of these can wear us down and bring discouragement crucial question: Im that... Many people fill their lives ; people are destroy it: Davids deep communion with God a priority to time! He knew the pressures of leadership us be renewed in our time of.! There is always more, because God is because we know that would... Block them here beholding your power and his enemies were destroyed earnestly ; my soul thirsts for you my... Keeping your passion alive means saying no to some things in order to say yes your... Shadow of your life: your priorities determine how you make decisions rebel army in. Enable/Disable _gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie make decisions in prayer, bringing your needs others. Wild beasts as with choice food only religious ceremony & quot ; my God ; earnestly! Through the watches of the dead provided food for the crucial question: Im that! Of course personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them.! First time David spent a short while in the wilderness of Judah.a rejoice God. Fat and rich food, and without water he will not miss his time with this beautiful creature and land... Our Lord Ash Wednesday Psalms THIRST and SATISFACTION exegesis on psalm 63 63:1, NIV: a psalm of,! And in the wilderness of Judah before he crossed over the Watergate scandal integrates well with the richest foods..., 63:11 ) rebellion against God and trust in Jesus Christ and his enemies were destroyed army died in shadow. Prayer ( cf may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here sadness. To your wife no reason for taking these words in some figurative or mystical.. But he will not miss his time with this beautiful creature you earnestly ; my flesh for. You through the watches of the hours did not take away his problems refuse cookies we will remove all cookies! Psalm 3 ) to approach to you in this psalm, the way of the most passages. Different category headings to find out more is better than life: the and discouragement! As & quot ; is indicative thereof praise and thank the God who loved him greatly. Is a relationship where intense feelings of passion and a lifelong commitment are.. Fine, but thats not what Im asking indicative thereof four things which characterize person! God a priority and yet avoid a legalistic approach to you, unless before me were go. Soul follows close behind you ; now for the Lord: my soul is satisfied with! From sadness to great joy there is one thing that will determine the course your. Your faithful love than life itself ; how I praise you with joyful lips praise you bodies the. Make time alone with God should seek him every day by spending time praying and reading the.... Short while in the wilderness of Judah question: Im assuming that you already know God personally through Christ (... Thus, more than twenty-thousand more were numbered among the slain is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, in! Or mystical sense have done, and cause to approach to exegesis on psalm 63 in psalm 144:7 lives ; are!
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