Psalm 63

Introduction.—David composed Ps. 63 when he was in the Wilderness of Judah, a fugitive from the wrath of King Saul (see superscription; cf. 1 Sam. 23:13, 14, 23, 24; Sam. 24:1–3; Ed 164). Ps. 63 is one of the tenderest of the psalms. It contains nothing by way of petition; there is joy, praise, thanksgiving, longing for communion with God, but not a word of request for temporal or spiritual advantage. The hymn has three parts: David’s hunger for God (vs. 1–4), his joy in communion with God (vs. 5–8), his confidence in the ultimate destruction of the wicked and his own triumph in the hands of God (vs. 9–11).

On the superscription see pp. 616, 627.

1. Early will I seek. Heb. shachar, “to seek at dawn,” hence, “to seek earnestly,” or “to seek eagerly.”

My soul. Used idiomatically for “I” (see on Ps. 16:10).

Thirsteth. See on Ps. 42:2.

Longeth. Or, “faints with longing.”

2. Thy power and thy glory. David seems to call to mind the evidences of God’s presence in the services of the sanctuary, such as the Shekinah (see PP 349). The greatest evidence of God’s presence today is the transformation of human lives.

3. Better than life. To David, the realization of God’s love was sweeter than life, which a man generally considers his most valuable possession.

4. Thus. That is, “consequently,” or “accordingly.”

Bless. Heb. barak. This word reflects several shades of meaning. When God blesses a person, it means that God endows him with salutary gifts, or declares the person to be so endowed. When a man blesses God, it means that he acknowledges God as the dispenser of salutary gifts. In the OT men are frequently said to bless God (see Ps. 63:4; 103:1, 2, 20–22; 145:2; etc.). When a person blesses another person, he expresses the wish that that person may be endowed with salutary gifts. In the LXX, barak is usually rendered eulogeo, “to speak well of.” Infrequently barak is used to express an opposite meaning, “to curse” (see on Job 1:5).

Lift up my hands. See on Ps. 28:2; see also Ps. 134:2.

5. Shall be satisfied. See on Ps. 36:8. Whereas in v. 1 the figure was that of water refreshing the thirsty, here it is of food satisfying the hungry.

6. Upon my bed. That is, during the night. At such a time the difficulties of the day tend to be magnified. David doubtless spent much time thinking about God during the anxious nights in the wilderness. We would do well to turn our thoughts toward God during our sleepless hours.

In the night watches. The night was commonly divided into three watches (see Lam. 2:19; 1 Sam. 11:11). Doubtless David found it hard to sleep when pursued, yet he was sufficiently tranquil to spend his sleepless hours in meditation.

7. Because. God’s past benefits are always a reason for present gratitude and an assurance of future help.

Shadow of thy wings. See on Ps. 17:8; see also Ps. 36:7; 57:1; 61:4.

8. Followeth hard. Heb. dabaq, “to cleave to,” “to cling to” (see on Deut. 4:4; 10:20; cf. Gen. 2:24).

9. But those. The psalmist contrasts the fate of his enemies with his own future under God’s leadership. Those who plan to destroy the psalmist will perish. God’s right hand lovingly upholds the righteous. That same right hand will destroy the wicked.

10. By the sword. Literally, “by the hands of the sword.” “Sword” is personified, pictured as having hands.

11. The king. The psalmist now refers to himself in the third person. Though a fugitive, in momentary danger of being killed by Saul, David still manifests his confidence that ultimately he will become king in fulfillment of his anointing by the prophet Samuel (see 1 Sam. 16:13). There is a tender pathos in David’s use of the term. His words represent an act of faith on his part.

By him. That is, by God. On the significance of the oath see on Deut. 6:13; see also Deut. 10:20; Isa. 65:16.

That speak lies. Those who seek to triumph by falsehood will be confounded. David is confident that he will be protected against the murderous designs of Saul and that his enemies will be destroyed. It is the privilege of the man who puts his trust in God to realize that ultimate joy and triumph are sure to be his.

Ellen G. White comments

1–7Ed 164

3–7MH 101

8 Te 105