A Study of Psalm 63:1-8

When we study Psalm 63, we see how David followed hard after God when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Carry the musical melody “Follow On” in your heart as we study Psalm 63.

Psalm 63:1 – 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.

Have you ever tried to express yourself, and not been able to say anything? This is how David feels. He tries to express how deeply he feels; but all he can say is O GOD. He is overwhelmed with emotion as he sees God’s holiness and his own unworthiness.

As Christians, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us because we can proclaim like David “thou art my God” and the Holy Spirit will put our thoughts into words for us. Look at Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The verse continues – early will I seek thee. How do you begin your day? David knew the importance of keeping God first in all things. Even Jesus set an example for us to follow. Look at Mark 1:35 – And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. I may not be able to devote a great amount of time in the early morning in study and prayer; but I can devote a quick, quiet moment with Him! And that moment determines my entire day!

The verse continues – my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Why does God allow us to go through wilderness times in our life? It was in the wilderness, where God taught David two principles; and God wants us to be like David, to totally depend on Him in the day-to-day. First, God puts us in the wilderness to teach us to fear the Lord. Look at Psalm 111:10 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. If we are constantly aware of God’s presence in our lives, it will make us wise, and we will live our lives to bring honor and glory to Him. Second, God puts us in the wilderness to teach us patience. Look at James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. It is in the wilderness, where we can follow hard after God or further away from God. When we’re in the wilderness, we need to trust God and ask others to pray for us. Look at 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 – For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. You may say, “If the wilderness is so good for me and teaches me so much, then why can’t God make it a little more comfortable? Why can’t I have a bigger house? Why can’t I have better health?” The answers lie in Scripture. Look at Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Sometimes the things we want may not be the best things for us. Look at Job 23:10 – But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Maybe God is preparing you for a specific tasks. God uses the wilderness to refine us through our trials and circumstances to make us pure as gold.

Psalm 63: 2 – To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

What is a sanctuary? It is describes as a consecrated place, a house of worship, a place of refuge, asylum, or protection. David longed to see God as he had seen Him in the sanctuary. Think about the sanctuary being the church. Do we see God working in our church services? Do we come expecting to see Him work? Yes, David had seen God’s power and glory in the sanctuary; but what about the sanctuary of the heart? Is your heart a sanctuary for God? Do we really follow hard after God? Look at Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. David followed hard after God, and like Abram received an exceeding great reward. Look at Genesis 15:1 – After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Will we let our hearts be a sanctuary to God? Will we give Him complete control, and let Him give us the exceeding great reward?

Psalm 63:3 – Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

If you look up the word lovingkindness in the dictionary, you will most likely find that it is considered two words. When describing God, David puts them together. Not only is God loving, he is kind. God ultimately showed His lovingkindness when He gave His only Son to die for us! Look at John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. David says that God’s lovingkindness is better than life! In other words, he knew life was not worth living without God’s lovingkindness; and he praised God for His lovingkindness.

Psalm 63:4 – Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

“Thus” refers to the previous verse. David is saying that because of God’s lovingkindness, he will never cease to praise Him. As long as he has life, he will praise the Lord!

David says that he will lift up his hands unto the Lord. This means he will solemnly pray to God above. Look at 2 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing. If our intention is to follow hard after God, we must pray.

Psalm 63:5 – My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.

Why do you suppose David says he is satisfied with marrow and fatness? Look at Isaiah 25:6 – And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees will refined. Here, we see that the fat things refer to a great feast. Look at Psalm 36:8 – They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. Here, we see that those who put their trust in God shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of God. God will meet every need and supply abundantly.  When we are satisfied, we will be joyful. This means we will tell others about how good God has been and give Him glory.

Psalm 63:6 – When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

The word remember means to recall to mind, to think of again, or to keep someone in mind. The word meditate means to reflect upon, to contemplate, or to consider thoughtfully. When we go to bed, we should remember all that God has done for us throughout the day. But this verse also encourages us to meditate on God in the night. As we lay in bed, we should meditate on His Word, who He is and all He has done for us. The more we see God work in our lives, the greater our faith will be.

Psalm 63:7 – Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

I David was helped by God so many times. David remembered all the times that God had brought him though. From the time David was a teenager keeping the sheep and God helped him kill a bear and a lion (I Samuel 17:34-37), God took care of David. He knew that God was going to make him king, even when running from Saul in the wilderness (1 Samuel 24:20-22). David went to God for restoration when he sinned his great sin with Bathsheba (2Samuel 12), and was restored. When he writes Psalm 63, David knows that Absalom is seeking his life, and he knows that somehow God will bring him back to Jerusalem and into leadership again. He can believe this because of the way God has worked things out in the past. David knew that God would care for him in the future. David rejoiced in the shadow of God’s wing; and this joy was an inner peace and abiding comfort in knowing God works everything for our own good.

Can you think of some ways you have seen God work in your own personal life? I want to encourage you to record ways God has worked in your past because it will encourage you to trust Him in the future.

Psalm 63:8 – My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

The word follow means to come or go after, to pursue, to accompany, to obey, to comply with. The word hard is defined as resistant to pressure, firm, or rigid. David says his soul follows hard after God. His soul adheres to God firmly, and resists pressure to let go. What was the result of David following hard after God? God upheld David with his right hand.

Do you need a lift? Follow hard after God. Even if you don’t feel like it. Especially if you don’t feel like it. That is when you need to follow hard after God the most. Carry the musical melody “Under His Wings” in your heart as you meditate on the study of Psalm 63.