Praise Is What I Do (Only You)

A scholarly scribe has connected the dry and weary land of verse 1 with the wilderness of Judah and thought of texts that report that Saul sought David’s life there (I Sam. 23:14; 24:2).

1 Samuel 23:14 ESV

14 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

1 Samuel 24:2 ESV

2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks.

Psalm 63 is a prayer for help in first person style (see Introduction, sec. 5.2). It is composed as the prayer of a person who comes to the sanctuary (v. 2) from a dangerous world where there are people who seek his life (v. 9)

Because of its lack of water and good routes, the Judean wilderness has been (mostly) uninhabited throughout history. Consequently it was an ideal place for those seeking refuge from enemies or retreat from the world. When on the run from King Saul, David hid in various places in the Judean wilderness (the Wilderness[es] of Ziph, Maon, and En Gedi are part of the Judean Wilderness). John the Baptist preached here, and it seems likely that this was the wilderness where Jesus was tempted. Herod the Great built two fortresses (Herodium and Masada) in this area for protection should his people ever revolt against him.

Because the Wilderness of Judea remained so arid and uninviting, most people only passed through it on their way to somewhere else. Because nobody wanted to go there, often only the “nobodies” of society did. The wilderness attracted those on the fringes—outcasts, shepherds, fugitives, hermits, and even fearful rulers.

For David the wilderness becomes a place of praise!

What you do in your wilderness moments?

Body- Our Manner of praise: is important/significant because

We Passionately Seek The LORD’S Presence (Psalm 63:1-4)

Psalm 63:1–4 ESV

1 O 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. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

In that dangerous world the psalmist has experienced the absence of God as the thirst and hunger of soul, a need for the presence of God without which his soul cannot live.

The need has been met by encounter with the Presence in the sanctuary. There the psalmist has beheld the power and glory of God in a vision.

On the temple as the place where God’s presence is real and available for the faithful,

Mays, James L.. Psalms (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (pp. 217-218). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.

Intensity of praise

Earnestly seek- The root šḥr expresses an intensive activity, “being intent upon something” (qal), “searching (diligently) for something” (piel). Objects of such seeking include God (with nota accusativi as well as with ʾel), wisdom (Job 7:21: God himself as subj.),

We Joyfully Remember The LORD’S Help (Psalm 63:5-8)

Psalm 63:5–8 ESV

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

The encounter with the Presence has met his need and satisfied his soul as if he had fed on the richest food (v. 5); in response, he promises to live in praise, day and night, all his life (vv. 3–7).

Mays, James L.. Psalms (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (pp. 217-218). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.

Joyful Satisfaction & acknowledgement

Psalm 57:1 (IVPBBC OT): shadow of your wings. It is possible that the psalmist is playing off the metaphor of God as a protective eagle sheltering its young with outstretched wings found in the “Song of Moses” in Deuteronomy 32:10–11. This image of eagles’ wings is a common metaphor for God’s covenantal saving acts (see Ex 19:4).

The metaphor of taking refuge under the wings of deity is found also in other psalms (36:7; 61:4; 91:4) and is consistently related to issues of care and protection connected to the covenant.

As a consequence, almost universally it is Yahweh to whom the resounding expressions of joy are directed.

1. Yahweh’s Help and Deliverance. Foremost is the people’s experience of Yahweh’s acts of salvation and deliverance. Most texts refer to such acts in the immediate or distant past, but often expectation of imminent demonstrations of God’s salvation is the reason for rejoicing.

One gets the impression that the formulation of the text is deliberately left open, that concrete details are deliberately avoided, in order that as many as possible may join in jubilant praise of Yahweh for what he has already done.

We Triumphantly Exult The LORD’S Glory (Psalm 63:9-11)

Psalm 63:9–11 ESV

9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

The prayer concludes with a twofold petition in verses 9–11. These verses can be translated as statements of confidence but are more likely requests (so NJPS).

Mays, James L.. Psalms (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) (pp. 217-218). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.

Exalt vs. exult

Vocabulary.com

To exalt, means to glorify or elevate something, but to exult is to rejoice. Exalt your favorite pro-wrestler, Jesus, or your status in the world. Exult when you get the last two tickets to see your favorite band. If you think something is the best thing ever and you practically worship it, you exalt it.

Grammarist.com

To exalt is to raise in rank, to glorify, or to increase the effect or intensity of. In all its definitions, exalt is transitive, meaning it takes a direct object (i.e., you can’t just exalt, period; you have to exalt someone or something). The word’s past participle, exalted is often used to mean elevated in rank or lofty.

To exult is to rejoice greatly or to be jubilant or triumphant. It is always intransitive, meaning it does not have a direct object (i.e., you can’t exult someone or something; you just exult). The most common derivative of exult is the adjective exultant, which means marked by great joy or jubilation.

Professor Paul Brian’s of Washington state university

exulted / exalted

To exult is to be extremely joyful whereas to exalt is to raise something in esteem or power or to intensify something. The adjectival forms are “exultant” and “exalted.”

Something supremely admirable has exalted status.

People who have celebrated with great joy about an event have exulted in it. The spelling “exulted” should be used only for the past tense of the verb “exult”: “The candidate exulted in her victory.”

Exult- as in to delight, to feel or express joy or triumph

Delight, Joy, glory, triumph, rejoice, brag, gloat

Victoriously- having won something; in a way that ends in victory synonym triumphantly, successfully.

Exult- Other general verbs are ḥkn, “praise” (a god), and snsy/snsn, “worship.”

Particular aspects of praise are brought out in rnn, “rejoice, extol,”wṯs nfrw, “exalt the beauty of,” sȝḫ “spiritualize, glorify,”Sʿȝ, “make great, magnify,” swȝš, “honor,” and ḏsr, “make splendid.”

Exult- shine flash, radiate, i.e., have bright or clear light be visible from a source

Psalm 27:1 ESV

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 31:3–5 ESV

3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

English Standard Version Psalm 34

34 OF DAVID, WHEN HE CHANGED HIS BEHAVIOR BEFORE ABIMELECH, SO THAT HE DROVE HIM OUT, AND HE WENT AWAY.

Psalm 34:1–8 ESV

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Transition To Close

Only One

Album: New Orleans

Released: 2013

Featured artist: Stevie Wonder

Artist: PJ Morton

I'm pretty sure I don't need anything else

This is the best feeling I've ever felt

I know it took a long time, but now I'm here

And I ain't going nowhere, no more fear

Room full of people but I only see you

Yeah, I'm so focused, everything else is in my rear view

Tell me what it's going to take for you to see

I only wanna be with you,

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger & Thirst For Righteousness

Matthew 5:6 ESV

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Jesus Provides Rest For Our Souls

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus Quenches Our Thirst

John 4:13–15 ESV

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

Living Water Of The Holy Spirit

John 7:37–39 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Let The One Who Is Thirsty Come

Revelation 22:16–17 ESV

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Let Your Light So Shine

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Luke 9:23–24 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Matthew 6:30–34 ESV

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

We Rejoice In Our Sufferings

Romans 5:3–9 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Close- When the King rejoiced & all Who Swear By The King Exulted

Psalm 63:11 ESV

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

English Standard Version Psalm 18

18 TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, WHO ADDRESSED THE WORDS OF THIS SONG TO THE LORD ON THE DAY WHEN THE LORD DELIVERED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL. HE SAID:

Psalm 18:49–50 ESV

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. 50 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

The King of Glory!

Psalm 24:7–10 ESV

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

This the Day the LORD had made...

Psalm 118:19–26 ESV

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Disciples Rejoice

Luke 10:17–20 ESV

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus Rejoiced

Luke 10:21–24 ESV

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

The Name Of The LORD Is To Be Praised

Psalm 113:1–3 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!

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