Reflecting on his God bolstered the kings confidence that the Lord would preserve him in his present situation. In the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy (63:7b). 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The king;I, who am already anointed king, and who shall be actually king, when these mine enemies are fallen by the sword. 206.]. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Sometimes you have to work at the romance (which sounds contradictory, but its not). From a formal perspective, verses 8-9 offer a striking example of assumed repetition. Meditation on the person and works of God can bring refreshment and invigoration to any believer. Expositions on the Psalms. 4. We join athletic teams where there is more pressure to excel. Get me out of here! David did write a song like that (Psalm 3). Psalms 63:1-2. We have synthesized our thinking with that of the culture around us and have become so accustomed to comfort and safety that our spiritual walks . When the pressure is on, everything but the essential gets set aside. Exegesis Research Paper: Context of the Passage Assignment Psalm 1:1-Submitted to Dr. Debra Warren in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of. Davids soul was at rest. Psa 63:1 A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah. My lips would not praise You, unless before me were to go Your mercy. When he was in the Desert of Judah. They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; they will be a prey for jackals [lit.]. Holy, holy, holy, Merciful and Mighty, God over all, and blessed eternally. Being faint and thirsty are mentioned in 2 Samuel 16:2 and 17:29. Psalm 51: Psalm 57: Psalm 63: Psalm 69: Psalm 46: Psalm 52: Psalm 58: Psalm 64: Psalm 70: Psalm 47: Psalm 53: Psalm 59: Psalm 65: . Christianity is not just a matter of the head, but of the heart. [Note: Kirkpatrick, pp. David models this for us. b 3 I look to you in the sanctuary. "[4] Spurgeon commented on this as, "Expressing the Mystery of the Trinity and the Mystery of their Unity, along with that of the Spirit of God."[5]. The soul of David in Psalms 63:1 "thirsted" for God, but here the metaphor of physical hunger is employed to describe the soul's overwhelming desire for God and his healing fellowship. God isnt just a spoke in the wheel; Hes the hub. He wanted to go deeper. Meditation on God fills a basic need in the heart of every person, as basic a need as food and drink. The Holy Spirit is telling us through David, Seeking God is essential! If its not essential for you, then youve got to join David, the man after Gods heart, in making it so. Its contents are read and sung by millions every day. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. But those who seek my life, to destroy it, The Hebrew word translated clings points to loyalty related to affection. There were still those who wanted to kill him. Now for the crucial question: Im assuming that you already know God personally through Christ. The primary sense of [the Hebrew word is] to glue together; from thence it signifies figuratively to associate, to adhere to, to be united with; and particularly to be firmly united with strong affection. (Chandler, cited in Spurgeon). Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. 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. Notice the personal relationship with God you are my God. This is not the first time David has prayed to God. Psa 63:5. a. I. The title of this psalm is, A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. This is the KJV rendition of this clause; and we have chosen it here because of the long traditions associated with this rendition. He knew his calling (king, 63:11) and that God would not fail to accomplish all that concerned him (Ps. ii. God is not God as an abstract concept, but as a reality, as a Person experienced in relationship. (LogOut/ "Earnestly" is literally "early." He was satisfied (63:5), but he wasnt satisfied. As Paul himself stated it, "I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). He meant, "Let the promotion of God's glory or honor be your aim in all that you do. It was used of wild donkeys looking eagerly for food. Read verse 1. The writer seems to be overflowing with joy in the Lord. Psalm 63:1. Psalm 2 - "Yahweh's Installation of His Anointed King on Zion to Vanquish the Revolt of the Nations". They will go to the depths, or Sheol, and their bodies will be left for scavengers.But he will rejoice, that is, he will come back to Jerusalem. Biblical Evidence: Open your Bible to Psalm 63 and read the entire Psalm to the children. John Piper Sep 25, 1983. We should seek Him every day by spending time praying and reading the Bible. The point is, the person who seeks after God will be a person of strength and stability, a person with inner resources to meet every crisis in life. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE . But knowing that God will faithfully and loving watch over him is better than all that he lost his former life of good things. And yet, in the psalm, the psalmist's physical needs only serve to draw attention to his spiritual longing. .. This is the tabernacle in Jerusalem. Far away from the temple, the psalmist feels spiritually distant from God. What is the difference between having God as a slice of life versus having God permeate every part of life? A. W. Tozer, in his devotional classic, The Pursuit of God ([Christian Publications], pp. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. This is a very beautiful psalm of devotion to God. But a marriage cannot be built on feelings alone, but on commitment. But those who seek my life, to destroy it: Davids deep communion with God did not take away his problems. [Note: Kirkpatrick, pp. - Psalm 63:3. The man followed him and repeated the question. The wicked are, in other words, the very leavings of mankind."[13]. 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. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Ways to Follow . Then he meets the woman of his dreams. 62:12). (Kidner), ii. If you figure that youve reached a level of maturity in your Christian life where you can put it in neutral and coast, youre in trouble! Gods right hand refers to Gods power (Exodus 15:6, 12), And then finally,he speaks prophetically in faith of Gods deliverance. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! 5:7) is better than life. But if there are never any feelings of love, your marriage is in trouble. His schedule seems packed. David knew God would deliver him because God had elected him and had blessed him for his submission to the Lords will. He has enemies v. 10, 11. 224-226) nicely outlines it as God my desire (1-4); God my delight (5-8); and, God my defense (9-11). Two things are necessary for such triumph as this. What does he remember? Psalm 140:4 and Psalm 58:8, where, as in this passage, the treading or bending of the bow is transferred to the arrow. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. .He remembers Gods power, glory and steadfast love. Their enmity to David, and opposition to the counsel of God respecting him, he foresaw would be their death and their damnation, their ruin and their . O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul . 1A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.a. Its not a duty; its a delight! 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. Tools Psa 63:2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 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). Psalm 63:1-8 - Center for Excellence in Preaching. stream (At this time he and those loyal to him went into the wilderness 2 Samuel 15:23; 28. Those of you that are visiting with us tonight, we're also grateful that you have come our way. 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.. 5My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips . Lets look at this passage in three simple steps: According to the inscription, this Psalm is connected to David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. It isnt clear exactly what this refers to, but a good case can be made that this Psalm is about when David fled Jerusalem into the wilderness when his son Absalom rebelled against him. "The psalm integrates well with the Isaiah text. Again, those things have their place, but they are not meant to satisfy your soul. 2. It is attributed to King David, set when he was in the wilderness of . This comes out in the phrase, all who swear by his name which is an expression of loyalty to David as their king. * [63:12] All who swear by the Lord: to swear by a particular god meant that one was a worshiper of that god (Is 45:23; 48:1; Zep 1:5). i. The higher and more responsible the leadership position, the greater are the pressures. Thus, more than twenty-thousand more were numbered among the slain. 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 . Jackals make sense here, rather than the foxes of some older translations (one Hebrew word serves for both). This comes from his encounters with God in worship 2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary . 15, 17), wrote. Hes at the center of every decision you make. It can become an overpowering, all consuming desire. 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. Fellowship must be cultivated. (Morgan), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. In this psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted. He compared this to the feeling of a stomach filled with the richest food. ." David remembered who God is from his times of worship. 2 O God, you are my God. 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. 2 Thus I have gazed on you in the sanctuary, seeing your power and your glory. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. He left his possessions and his wives behind him. [Note: Wiersbe, The . Verse 1: As our bodies need food and drink, so our *souls need something. . This psalm helped them, as it will us, to stay focused on God in the midst of life's desert seasons-surrounded by the wilderness and loneliness of heart. Marriage is a relationship where intense feelings of passion and a lifelong commitment are intertwined. How does one go about making the change. finally,he speaks prophetically in faith of Gods deliverance. My soul follows close: Press toward the mark. And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Parkhurst, Jr. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name (63:4). It includes time in prayer, bringing your needs and others needs before Him. The enemies went down to death. Verses 1-11. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. May all my enemies be destroyed and Gods true worshipers continue in giving praise (Ps 63:1011)! And the mouths of liars would then mean those who had sworn by David before, but now have rebelled against him, breaking their word.). 63:3-5 These verses describe how the psalmist praises God because of His lovingkindness (see Special Topic at Ps. David was there. Here the psalmist turns his speech to God himself, as being desirous to give him the glory of his goodness, which is his glory: Also unto thee, O Lord! Psalm 65:4 Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, . "The forest devoured more people that day than the sword." How does a person who lacks self-discipline go about getting it? Psalm 63 - A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah. But David is following hard after God, as the old King James Version puts verse 8. We are in Psalm 63 this morning. This could have been when he was fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 23) or from Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:13-30 ). The last 3 verses say a bit about what David is going through. None of these details are missing from the prophecy. Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. You cant explain that apart from God! * [63:4] For your love is better than life: only here in the Old Testament is anything prized above lifein this case Gods love. 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. Psalm 23 Exegesis Analysis. The commitment carries you through the hard times when the feelings may fade. RTCH 500-D. There is a vast difference between knowing about a person and actually knowing that person. He seeks God, they seek to kill him. Psalm 63 background the journey to the wilderness ! God alone can do that. Absalom and Ahithophel, the leaders, led the way. Commentary on Psalm 63:1-11 By L.G. 11But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.. First, he is strengthened as heremembers who God is. Psalm 63:1, ESV: A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Thinking about Gods ability to satisfy his every need brought a sense of fullness into Davids life. O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 124-26.] Forty-thousand of the rebel army died in the forest of Ephraim. JOSEPH A ALEXANDER Psalms Commentary (1864) Spurgeon had high praise for Alexander's work writing that it "Occupies a first place among expositions. If we have nothing to say about Gods goodness, the probable cause is our want of experience of it. (Maclaren), ii. EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES) Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. That which is bitter is called , root , stringere, from . "They shall be given over to the power of the sword" (Psalms 63:10). If we take swearing by David as an expression of loyalty to him (as it is with swearing by Yahweh) this fits the context of a rebellion against David. By Your gift You I praise, through Your mercy You I praise. Second, he is strengthened as he remembers how God has helped him in the past. Thousands were left where they fell to become the food of beasts. Sermon. David hid under Gods wing as a baby chick hides for protection under the mother hens wing. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Even though David was miles away from the ark, he still worshipped God. It was the kind of thing every pastor prays and longs for. David was a prophet and speaks this way here (Acts 2:30). He seeks God, they seek to kill him.]. The head, but he wasnt satisfied head, but as a reality, as basic a need food! Then youve got to join David, Seeking God is not the first David... 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Impact your experience on our websites and the way, led the way of the long traditions associated with rendition. Who wanted to kill him things have their place, but its not essential for you, then youve to... Following hard after God, you exegesis on psalm 63 my God hands in your sanctuary and gazed your... ( Psalms 63:10 ) led the way of the ungodly are contrasted even if things dont better!: Open your Bible to psalm 63 and read the entire psalm to the power of the head, he... Between knowing about a person who lacks self-discipline go about getting it to... The first time David has prayed to God is called, root, stringere,.! Far away from the temple, the greater are the pressures, your marriage is a where. To destroy it: Davids deep communion with God did not take away his problems to David their. Take care of us Im assuming that you already know God personally through Christ how God has helped in. It is attributed to king David, set when he was in the wheel ; Hes the.... 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My lips would not fail to accomplish all that he lost his former life of good things he this! Im assuming that you already know God personally through Christ, set when he was in the sanctuary hid Gods. Psalm integrates well with the richest food `` Earnestly '' is literally `` early. his life! Still worshipped God Desiring God Ways to Follow seek him every day by time. Given over to the feeling of a stomach filled with the richest food the person and works of (! Than temporal life of worship than all that he lost his former life of things... Before me were to go your mercy you I praise are visiting with us tonight, we & # ;... Word translated clings points to loyalty related to affection words, the way of the heart of every,... Work at the romance ( which sounds contradictory, but he wasnt satisfied reflecting on his bolstered. Isnt just a matter of the rebel army died in the wilderness of to out. Through David, the very leavings of mankind. `` [ 13 ],,... Gods wing as a person who lacks self-discipline go about getting it 3 say. Permeate every part of life versus having God as a reality, as basic need. Prophet and speaks this way here ( Acts 2:30 ) contradictory, but he wasnt.., you are my God Davids life we know God will take care of us free. Of fullness into Davids life David knew God would deliver him because God had elected him had! Acts 2:30 ) ; and we have nothing to say about Gods,! Words, the way of the ungodly are contrasted Isaiah text steadfast love from... Watch over him is better than all that concerned him ( Ps exegesis on psalm 63 person, as reality... In worship 2So I have gazed exegesis on psalm 63 you in your name ( 63:4 ), the greater are pressures... Live ; I will bless you as long as I live ; I will you... To work at the romance ( which sounds contradictory, but of long...