If we have nothing to say about Gods goodness, the probable cause is our want of experience of it. (Maclaren), ii. They shall fall by the sword; I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. David and his loyal followers had to flee for their lives. Many of us remember the day President Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. How much do you desire to know God? "Some have interpreted this to mean that David was here granted a vision of God just as clear and distinct as he had seen in the sanctuary. I have always been moved and challenged by Luke's description of Christ's decisive turn to the cross in Luke 9:51. 4) Because of the KJV translation of the word "early" in v. 1, Psalm 63 has been called a "morning psalm." - This psalm is something of a climax of a trio of psalms (Pss. Yet, Psalm 63 has no cry for help but gives thanks and praise for Gods faithfulness in many times when God had been my help for David. My lips will praise you. My mouth offers praises with joyful lips (63:5b). A young man ran after Socrates, calling, Socrates, Socrates, can I be your disciple? Socrates ignored him and walked out into the water. Putting God in the center of your life gives you balance and perspective in the crises of life. e. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: David spoke of a satisfaction that too few people know, even among believers. Its an emotional psalm, coming out of the depths of Davids life, and it would be an injustice to pick the psalm apart while missing the feeling that it conveys. The authorship and occasion of this psalm are made certain by the fact that the author was a king (Psalms 63:11), who was temporarily denied access to the tabernacle in Jerusalem, and who cried out to God from a parched desert. The word steadfast love (hesed) refers to Gods faithfulness or covenant love. Spurgeon noted that we should not limit our thanks and praise to such seasons: Even when our heart is rather desiring than enjoying we should still continue to magnify the Most High, for his love is truly precious; even if we do not personally, for the time being, happen to be rejoicing in it. If you love God, youll make time to spend with Him because you delight to do so. My soul follows close behind You; We live in a day marked by pressure in almost every area of life. 1. "[8] Such a theophany is not unreasonable, for God surely did grant such a vision to Joshua in the conquest of Canaan. You cant explain that apart from God! 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 8 0 obj Whats the result? He is merciful in a way peculiar to himself; he is the Father of mercies, 2 Co. 1:3. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2009, All Rights Reserved. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. David wasnt consumed with thoughts of getting even. "They shall be given over to the power of the sword" (Psalms 63:10). The same Hebrew word describes both animals. It is good to see you all this evening and glad that you, those of you have come back this second time are here. "The forest devoured more people that day than the sword." This second contribution to the "Handbooks for Old Testament Exegesis" series continues the admirable tradition set by Robert B. Chisholm Jr. in "Interpreting the Historical Books." A valuable resource for pastors and students, "Interpreting the Psalms" begins by explaining the nature of Hebrew poetry and the purpose of the Psalms. But they shouldnt come before your marriage. Rebellion against God and Christ began at the arrest of Jesus ( Acts 4:23-26 ). It includes time in prayer, bringing your needs and others needs before Him. And then you must develop your relationship by spending time with your new Friend through the weeks and months and years in a variety of situations. New American Standard Version 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. 63 John 4:1-42. a. I. [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 One of the most beloved passages of Scripture in the Old Testament is Psalm 23. This psalm invites us to believe again that our faith in God will never desert us, no matter what happens. The last 3 verses say a bit about what David is going through. The bulk of this psalm speaks to this. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. And yet he did not neglect earnestly seeking God in this trying situation. David models this for us. Because You have been my help, What does the person look like who seeks after God? Here is David, his kingdom in disarray, running for his life, seeking to protect his men. John Piper Aug 12, 1999. One day he was the leader of the most powerful nation on earth. . God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. It was used of wild donkeys looking eagerly for food. But the king will rejoice in God (63:11). Notice, briefly four things which characterize the person who seeks the Lord: My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness. He is never complacent, but satisfied. And there are times it seems when our souls become very barren and very parched, where we long again to feel the presence of God. b. I invite you to turn there in your Bibles. David chooses to seek after God. 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. 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. They prey on dead bodies, and assemble in troops on battlefields to feast on the slain. How can we make time alone with God a priority and yet avoid a legalistic approach to it? Two things are necessary for such triumph as this. He knows that the steadfast love of God which he praised in verse 3, is strong with justice (cf. It is a clear and judicious explanation of the text, and cannot be dispensed with. my soul. The address of God as "my God" is indicative thereof. ii. "Better than life" (Psalms 63:3). O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. David was there. One of these paths has a future of glory and the other path will be stopped. The psalm concludes with a return to a focus on trusting a God who protects. Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; Verses 1-11. Then he meets the woman of his dreams. That God's lovingkindness toward those who enjoy fellowship in Him is indeed "better than life" is indeed attested by the thousands of martyrs through many centuries who have sealed with their blood the sacred truth of these blessed words. As I already mentioned, you begin a relationship with God when you realize that you have sinned against the holy God and when you flee for refuge to the provision God has made for your sin, the cross of Christ. In the midst of such pressures, there is one thing that will determine the course of your life: your priorities. But knowing that God will faithfully and loving watch over him is better than all that he lost his former life of good things. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! This is the God that he knows, has walked with and served his life. [Notice the contrasts: Davids mouth is full of praise, their lies. During that time David spent a short while in the northeastern portion of the wilderness of Judah before he crossed over the Jordan River. 11But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.. Therefore he also used the night watches to meditate upon God. We should seek Him every day by spending time praying and reading the Bible. i. The wicked would not prevail in the long run. "There may be other psalms that equal this outpouring of devotion; few if any that surpass it." a. I remember you through the watches of the night, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.c. Never was a rebellion snuffed out as suddenly and thoroughly as was Absalom's, several facets of which were outlined in the prophecies. As we seek God in our trial, let us be renewed in our faith. The word translated seek earnestly is related etymologically to the word for dawn, and thus some translations have seek early. But most commentators agree that the word means earnestly, ardently, or diligently. A. W. Tozer, in his devotional classic, The Pursuit of God ([Christian Publications], pp. 1. 3Because your steadfast love is better than life . But a marriage cannot be built on feelings alone, but on commitment. David clings to God, but underneath it all, Gods powerful hand is under David. It is no embarrassment to us that many scholars reject it. And the mouths of liars would then mean those who had sworn by David before, but now have rebelled against him, breaking their word.). 1 A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 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. Yet that is not what David sang of here. His own son whom he loved was attempting to kill him. Then there is the pressure of getting a good job and, once we get it, of doing well enough to keep it and be promoted. I once heard the late godly pastor and author, Alan Redpath, speak. Thousands were left where they fell to become the food of beasts. The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Series ) for October 31, 2010 , is from Psalm 63:1-11 . Thus will I bless thee That is, so as I have done, and have now said. EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES) Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. "Where no water is" (Psalms 63:1). Tools Psa 63:2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. It has gained momentum down through the ages and will finally break in a mounting and mighty crescendo. They may be good things, but they are not God, and God alone can satisfy your soul. Are you seeking after God like David speaks of here? He had to think about how all of his loyal followers who fled with him were going to get food and water in this barren wilderness. Psalm 4 - "Faith Amid Opposition!" Psa 63:5. Change). - James Boice said it is "almost a love song for God" (p. 517), and J. J. Stewart Perowne said, "this is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and . Gods powerful hand upheld and sustained David. Hes at the center of every decision you make. The International Bible Lessons can be read at: "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). But the king shall rejoice in God: David was not yet on Israels throne and that promise still waited many years for fulfillment. Here the idea of presence seems to best fit the context. But it is interesting that Psalm 63 contains no petition (Perowne, p. 487). The psalm shows us that Davids priority was to seek the Lord. Reflecting on his God bolstered the kings confidence that the Lord would preserve him in his present situation. 2 Thus I have gazed on you in the sanctuary, seeing your power and your glory. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. 23:15 . Hes the Lord of every relationship you have. He had to be thinking constantly about their safety. 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. Glorying is the equivalent of rejoicing. None of these details are missing from the prophecy. Psalm 140:4 and Psalm 58:8, where, as in this passage, the treading or bending of the bow is transferred to the arrow. It could be seen as the response to the cry of the prophet that invites those in need to come to God for rest and refreshment. 130:4, 7. 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. The meaning here is simply that the enemies of the king shall die. The bodies of the dead provided food for the wild beasts. "In the shadow of thy wings" (Psalms 63:7). This is merely an Old Testament manner of speaking of the grave. No one seeks for God unless God first seeks after them (John 6:44; Rom. The title of this psalm is, A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. What is the difference between having God as a slice of life versus having God permeate every part of life? The wicked are, in other words, the very leavings of mankind."[13]. But David is following hard after God, as the old King James Version puts verse 8. But while keeping the depth of feeling in mind, it is helpful to separate out three strands of what it means to seek after God: O God, You are my God. David knew God in an intimate, personal way. 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Future of glory and the other path will be fully satisfied as with the richest of ;... Seeks after God the title of this psalm invites us to believe again our. A legalistic approach to it faith Amid Opposition! & quot ; God. Things which characterize the person who seeks after them ( John 6:44 ;.! Are not God, as the Old king James Version puts verse.. In prayer, bringing your needs and others needs before him President Nixon resigned over the Jordan.... Translations have seek early of mankind. `` [ 13 ] loving watch him... Be your disciple, but underneath it all, Gods powerful hand is under.! Midst of such pressures, there is one thing that will determine the course of your life your. And assemble in troops on battlefields to feast on the slain Psalms 63:1 ) wild beasts eagerly for.!

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