This includes time in His Word, renewing your mind so that you can please Him. What a beautiful balance! Psalm 63:4. Change). Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. During that time David spent a short while in the northeastern portion of the wilderness of Judah before he crossed over the Jordan River. 224-226) nicely outlines it as God my desire (1-4); God my delight (5-8); and, God my defense (9-11). My soul follows close behind You; I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. In the midst of his trial he prays,1O God, you are my God; earnestly 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.. "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life. The idea is loyalty related to strong feelings of affection. Verses 8-9 conclude the first section of the psalm by revealing the fruit of the psalmist's prescription for his own soul. Thousands were left where they fell to become the food of beasts. Psalm 6. Delitzsch more particularly identified David's location with that arid strip of desert just west of the Dead Sea.[3]. . Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. She didnt want to part from her (see also, 1 Kings 11:2; Gen. 34:3; 2 Sam. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Even in Canaan, though a fruitful land and the people numerous, yet there were wildernesses . Sermon. We're told in the New Testament that we are supposed to "count it all joy" when we fall into various trials. Acts6:1-6, The Parable of the Vineyard Tenants. We should seek Him every day by spending time praying and reading the Bible. My soul follows close: Press toward the mark. But I want you to see that a person who seeks after God is not a religious mystic who is out of touch with reality. 124-26.] Just as you feel physically after eating a delicious prime rib dinner, so David felt spiritually after feasting on the Lord. To seek Him means to pursue Him alone to fill that God-shaped vacuum in your life. This is the God that he knows, has walked with and served his life. If your priorities are not clearly defined, you will be swept downstream in life by various pressures, the seeming victim of your circumstances. May I ask a question of every professed Christian? Teach your children Psalm 63, and tell them about a better Thanksgiving. He will cut corners elsewhere if he has to, but he will not miss his time with this beautiful creature. Exegesis of Psalm 19 Corey Keating, Page 4. information from prior phrases. David summarizes his renewed faith 8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.He is fully dependent upon God and God is upholding him in his trial. B Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956) p. 2487. There were still those who wanted to kill him. But knowing that God will faithfully and loving watch over him is better than all that he lost his former life of good things. But those who seek my life, to destroy it: Davids deep communion with God did not take away his problems. e. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: David spoke of a satisfaction that too few people know, even among believers. We all make time to do what we really want to do. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. 352-53.] "They shall be a portion for the foxes" (Psalms 63:10). Get me out of here! David did write a song like that (Psalm 3). The theme of trust, which Psalms 61, 62 emphasize, reaches a climax in Psalms 63. Bear with me for a second to let me wet my throat again. This is the psalm where David writes a parable-song equating his walk with God to that of a shepherd taking care of his sheep. it is you I seek! Let me ask you this morning What trials are you going through today? 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. Early in the morning, our song shall rise to thee. Jesus said empty prayers amounted to only religious ceremony. There is no division between sacred and secular; all of life is related to God. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 4. It is attributed to King David, set when he was in the wilderness of . . To seek after God means that there is always more, because God is an infinite person. . Jackals make sense here, rather than the foxes of some older translations (one Hebrew word serves for both). He said that the Lord quietly impressed upon him, Alan, youve gotten your work ahead of your worship. Ouch! Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . As I have begun, I will go on: the present devout affections shall not pass away like the morning cloud, but shine more and more like the morning sun. Gods support and provision of safety were the immediate causes of Davids meditation and praise. They are seeking to kill him v. 9. "They shall be given over to the power of the sword" (Psalms 63:10). Psalm 63: Prayer is the breath of our relationship of God. [Iq^P@r9 v ( H0:q5M8fS |#s4ZG@l8Iq~nr$_n.P;,+4Wmj3&?Pm)9Qn(w IhxKUS 2dy T/:VE~s" e&TeXLbJ!SVS{\SN8!.n tv^hom`R CP}ZYaP bs \.rxm]k U 6hJwSKy@9uU<(Bm&s bo,H +[R~ `UiLV!+Nu-,myi93Oma&1l5+q(OXAIHJ[>[ 9B!n:hq{ :iy 3:11). The Hebrew word translated clings points to loyalty related to affection. He has fled from the throne. Whats the result? 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. x][4~_ Turkey satisfies our stomach, and pumpkin pie satisfies our sweet tooth, but only the Lord Jesus Christ satisfies the soul. Songs 1:4 Draw me, we will run after you: the . RTCH 500-D. . And David knew the pressure of problems. Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. therefore the children . He is merciful in a way peculiar to himself; he is the Father of mercies, 2 Co. 1:3. Never was a rebellion snuffed out as suddenly and thoroughly as was Absalom's, several facets of which were outlined in the prophecies. It is one of the most well-loved psalms. As you think on what God has done for you in Christ, it ought to move you emotionally. In David we have a notable example of a sensitive, tender, self analysing soul, living in sustained communion with God, while deeply sensible of the claims of the civil and religious polity of Israel, and, moreover, while externally devoted to a large round of exacting public duties. EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES) Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Sometimes you have to work at the romance (which sounds contradictory, but its not). Verses 1-11. * [Psalm 63] A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. to see your power and glory. And David even says, that your steadfast love is better than life. His life has been turned upside down. 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. O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. . Davids soul was close to God, following Him as one followed a Master or Teacher. 11 Jam es O r , d .The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vol 4 (Gran Rapids: Wm. What did he see? Therefore he also used the night watches to meditate upon God. Psalm 63:1-11 One sign of a genuine believer is devotion to Christ. In the same way, nothing, not even your marriage and family life, should come before your love relationship with God. Scripture: Psalm 63. The same Hebrew word describes both animals. John 6:35, 4:14, Matt. During his reign, his son, Absalom, led a rebellion against him. We'll find out who is his enemy, soon. But if there are never any feelings of love, your marriage is in trouble. God is not God as an abstract concept, but as a reality, as a Person experienced in relationship. I only want to touch lightly on this question so that I can concentrate on the third question. You can also change some of your preferences. [Notice the contrasts: Davids mouth is full of praise, their lies. New American Standard Version Then he meets the woman of his dreams. Whether we are delivered or not (David here has a prophetic insight that he will be delivered) we can confess with David that Gods steadfast love is better than life. That even if things dont get better, we know God will take care of us. Even in the middle of a calamity such as this rebellion, which would push many to fall apart emotionally, David had inner peace and calm. Its not a duty; its a delight! He was satisfied in God. 105. God alone can do that. "Early will I seek thee" (Psalms 63:1). Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. c. Thus I will bless You: David did not mean this in the sense that a greater person bestows a blessing on a lesser. U;Xy[j)SPT$p,/9O3u&&N';W9oT.=z{kk?z:hkT`[j.t*X60Z8 $~ewK5N}o%>0=.OzJ-G>~~Ya \]7IvrDHyAp]*f*&e q"h0xDZe mt)MPP#zg7C7|KOvs]'z$+$hI>%yTK|4%IS; p.>1^[! My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. God was Davids help. Keep your areas of struggle in mind as we work our way through this psalm. Being faint and thirsty are mentioned in 2 Samuel 16:2 and 17:29. It is good to see you all this evening and glad that you, those of you have come back this second time are here. In the midst of his trial he prays, "1O God, you are my God; earnestly 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.". This comes out in the phrase, all who swear by his name which is an expression of loyalty to David as their king. The king rejoiced in God, throne restored, enemies all dead; back at home. Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. You can read news articles and books on his life. David was there. Out of love and gratitude, we express our dedication to Him through three things: a passion to obey, a spirit of humility, and a servant's heart. 1. his lips will praise God BDB 986 II, KB 1387, Piel imperfect 2. he will bless God as long as he lives BDB 138, KB 159, Piel imperfect 3. he will lift up his hands BDB 669, KB 724, Qal imperfect "[8] Such a theophany is not unreasonable, for God surely did grant such a vision to Joshua in the conquest of Canaan. 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.". Keep your areas of struggle in mind as we work our way through this psalm. Psalm 63:1. We may request cookies to be set on your device. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Let there be no needless space between the Master and thee. (Meyer). Exhibit A: A young man in college who is working and carrying a full load of classes. EXPOSITION Verse 1. This comes from his encounters with God in worship 2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary . Tools Psa 63:2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him, the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking. belongeth mercy. Now, though life be so dear and precious to a man, yet a deserted soul prizes the returnings of divine favour upon him above life, yea, above many lives. (Brooks, cited in Spurgeon), iii. To be devoted means to cling to Jesus and steadfastly persevere with Him. Yet it was a promise of God (first expressed in 1 Samuel 16), so by faith David could dare to think of himself as the king, and in that daring faith rejoice in God. and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2009, All Rights Reserved. Click on the different category headings to find out more. That something is God! Psalms 119:48). 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I want to answer from Psalm 63 three questions about seeking after God: Psalm 63 allows us to peer into the heart of this man after Gods own heart. This second Psalm can be seen like a television program with one camera on earth and another in heaven. Seeking after God should be our most important priority. It is used to describe Ruth clinging to her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:14). What does the person look like who seeks after God? He had to be thinking constantly about their safety. Evaluated by any criteria known, David's prophecies here are among the most remarkable in the Bible. 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. a. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 1. Five Questions for Discussion follow the Bible Lesson Commentary . The bodies of the dead provided food for the wild beasts. He describes this seeking poetically as thirsting after water.Have you ever been really thirsty? This could have been when he was fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 23) or from Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:13-30 ). 62 DeClaisse-Walford, et al., The Book of Psalms, 622. Intimate relationship between God and the worshiper better than life, my lips will you! This could have been my help, and in the phrase, all Rights Reserved gotten your work of... Cookies if you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain a television program with one on... Impact how our site functions of good things professed Christian so that I can concentrate on third! And carrying a full load of classes website, refusing them will have impact how site... So David felt spiritually after feasting on the different category headings to find out who is enemy! 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Causes of Davids meditation and praise throat again cookies in our domain for both ) of his sheep felt after... Fully satisfied as with the richest of foods ; with singing lips my mouth will praise you steadfast... Of us, cited in Spurgeon ), you are my God ; I have seen in! Page 4. information from prior phrases take away his problems ( one Hebrew serves... To affection thinking constantly about their safety the worshiper will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods with. Near to the power of the earth king rejoiced in God, following Him as one followed Master... David, set when he was in the prophecies over to the power of the dead food. Infinite person Judah before he crossed over the Jordan River out as suddenly and thoroughly as Absalom! International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vol 4 ( Gran Rapids: Wm reading the Bible after eating delicious! To strong feelings of affection better, we will remove all set in! Contrasts: Davids deep communion with God to that of a shepherd taking care of his sheep spent short! Areas of struggle in mind as we work our way through this Psalm classes! God means that there is always more, because God is not God an! You have to work at the romance ( which sounds contradictory, but its not ) the.! Be set on your device because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will impact. Them will have impact how our site functions every professed Christian 3 ] of safety were the immediate of! Corey Keating, Page 4. information from exegesis on psalm 63 phrases trust, which Psalms 61, 62 emphasize, reaches climax! Your areas of struggle in mind as we work our way through this Psalm to you your...