Psalms 63

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 63

1¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

3¶ Because thy lovingkindness [is] better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

5My soul shall be satisfied as [with] marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise [thee] with joyful lips:

6When I remember thee upon my bed, [and] meditate on thee in the [night] watches.

7¶ Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

9But those [that] seek my soul, to destroy [it], shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

11But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 63 expresses David's intense spiritual thirst for God while in the wilderness, longing to experience His power and glory as in the sanctuary. He declares God's lovingkindness as better than life, committing to lifelong praise and finding deep satisfaction in Him. The psalm concludes with a declaration of God's protection and the ultimate judgment against those who seek the psalmist's destruction, affirming the king's rejoicing in God.

Medium Summary

In Psalm 63, David, in the wilderness of Judah, articulates a profound spiritual yearning for God, likening his soul's thirst and flesh's longing to the desperate need for water in a parched land. He desires to behold God's power and glory, recalling past experiences in the sanctuary. David proclaims God's lovingkindness to be more precious than life itself, vowing to bless and praise Him with joyful lips throughout his days, even meditating on Him during the night watches. He finds refuge and help in God, rejoicing under the shadow of His wings, as his soul diligently follows after Him, upheld by God's right hand. The psalm then contrasts this devotion with the fate of his enemies, who seek his destruction, declaring they shall descend into the earth and fall by the sword. Ultimately, the king will rejoice in God, and those who are faithful will glory, while the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Long Summary

Psalm 63, attributed to David during his time in the wilderness of Judah, opens with an impassioned declaration of his soul's deep thirst and his flesh's longing for God, comparing this spiritual yearning to the physical desperation for water in a dry and barren land. His desire is not merely for sustenance but to witness God's power and glory, reminiscent of his experiences in the sanctuary. David then articulates the supreme value of God's lovingkindness, asserting that it surpasses life itself, thereby compelling his lips to offer continuous praise. He commits to blessing God throughout his entire life, expressing this devotion by lifting his hands in God's name. The psalmist anticipates a profound spiritual satisfaction, likened to marrow and fatness, which will lead to joyful praise from his mouth. This communion with God extends into the night, as he remembers and meditates on the Divine during his bed watches. David finds a source of unwavering help in God, leading him to rejoice securely under the shadow of God's protective wings. His soul diligently pursues God, acknowledging that God's right hand provides steadfast support and upholding. The psalm shifts to a stark contrast, addressing those who seek to destroy David's life. He prophesies their demise, stating they shall descend into the lower parts of the earth, fall by the sword, and become a portion for foxes. Concluding with a declaration of triumph, David affirms that the king shall rejoice in God. Furthermore, all who swear by God's name shall glory, while the mouths of those who speak lies will be silenced, signifying divine justice and vindication.

Core Concepts

  • Spiritual ThirstDavid expresses an intense longing for God, likening his soul's desire to physical thirst in a dry and waterless land. This highlights a deep spiritual need for God's presence and power.
  • God's LovingkindnessThe psalmist declares that God's lovingkindness is better than life itself, indicating its supreme value and the source of his praise. This concept underscores God's benevolent nature and its profound impact on the believer.
  • Lifelong Praise and MeditationDavid commits to blessing God throughout his life, lifting his hands in worship, and meditating on Him during the night watches. This illustrates a continuous and deeply personal devotion.
  • Divine Protection and HelpDavid finds refuge and rejoices under the shadow of God's wings, acknowledging God as his help and the upholder of his soul. This speaks to God's role as a protector and sustainer.
  • Judgment of EnemiesThe psalm contrasts David's devotion with the fate of those who seek his destruction, prophesying their demise into the earth and by the sword. This reflects a belief in divine justice and vindication.
  • King's Rejoicing and VindicationThe psalm concludes with the king rejoicing in God and those who swear by Him glorifying, while liars are silenced. This signifies the ultimate triumph of the righteous and the vindication of God's anointed.