Sundays in the Psalms (2)

Psalm 63 - Your Love is Better than Life

Message Introduction

Psalms, Volume 2: (Psalms 42–106): An Expositional Commentary (The Setting of the Psalm)

The title of Psalm 63 identifies it as “a psalm of David” and indicates that it was written “when he was in the desert of Judah.” There were only two periods in David’s life this can apply to, either (1) when he was in the wilderness early in his life fleeing from King Saul or (2) later when he was in the wilderness fleeing from his son Absalom. The second must be the case here, because in verse 11 David refers to himself as “the king,” and he was not yet king when he was fleeing from Saul.

The story of Absalom’s rebellion is told in 2 Samuel 15–19. Absalom was estranged from his father because he felt that David had mistreated him. He spent four years doing his utmost to win over the hearts of the people of Israel, and when he thought he was ready he set up a rival kingship in the nearby city of Hebron. Caught off guard, David feared an attack on Jerusalem and fled the city with those who remained loyal to him.

From a military standpoint Absalom should have attacked David at once, while he was still off balance and unable to resist an assault. But God caused Absalom to listen to counselors who advised delay, and by the time the battle finally came, David was ready, and Absalom’s army was soundly defeated by David’s battle-seasoned soldiers led by his faithful general, Joab.

Twenty thousand men perished in that battle, and Absalom was one of them. He was caught in a tree while fleeing on a mule and was slain by Joab personally.

Message Outline

Message Exposition

The Psalmist contrasts his present experience in the wilderness with his passionate desire for God (verses 1-4)

Psalm 63:1 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.

The wilderness around him and the thirst within, prompts him to long for and thirst for God

Psalm 63:2 ESV

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

He has memories of times of worship in the Tabernacle.

He reminds himself of the vision of God’s strength and glory

Psalm 63:3 ESV

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

God’s steadfast love is better than life and compels him to praise God

Psalm 63:4 ESV

4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

God’s steadfast love compels him to bless God

The Psalmist’s soul is satisfied in God (verses 5-7)

Psalm 63:5 ESV

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

God’s steadfast love satisfies him abundantly

Psalm 63:6 ESV

6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

He meditates on God’s steadfast love even in the middle of the night

Psalm 63:7 ESV

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

God’s steadfast love compels him to sing for joy

The Psalmist’s soul is clinging to God (verses 8-11)

Psalm 63:8 ESV

8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

God’s steadfast love preserve him

Psalm 63:9 ESV

9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;

Psalm 63:10 ESV

10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.

God’s steadfast love protects him

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.

God’s steadfast love compels him to rejoice

The Gospel in Psalm 63

Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version (Study Notes for the Psalms)

For the believer, awareness of the presence of God is better than life itself (v. 3).

In contrast to the rebel, who squirms at the nearness of God, the reconciled worship Immanuel (v. 2; cf. Rom. 2:15).

At times, the Father proves the necessity of that dependence by hiding his face. In this way, the believer’s dependence on union with the life of God (ultimately made possible through Christ) is as real as the human need for water and confirms the reality of God’s love, which is more real than our present circumstances (Ps. 63:1; cf. 1 Pet. 1:8).

David’s experience of blessing while he thirsts illustrates Jesus’ beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).

Any suffering Christian can testify to the quiet assurance that comes from realizing that there would be no such longings for righteousness if the faith were not real.

Even while he lay awake in his anguish, David knew the peace that surpasses understanding under God’s wings and in the clutches of his embrace (Ps. 63:6–8; Phil. 4:7).

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Living in the same blessed faith that Jesus articulated on the mount, David confirmed that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “will be satisfied,” while the enemies of God’s people will be destroyed (Ps. 63:5, 9, 10).

God’s people will “rejoice” not merely because their persecutors are conquered; they will rejoice in the Lord because his truth is vindicated as he fulfills his redemptive promises (v. 11;

John 15:11 ESV

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Romans 4:11–12 ESV

11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Discussion Questions

What new thoughts have you had since reading and studying Psalm 63:1-11 or from Hearing James’ message on the passage?

What verse from this passage will you commit to meditating on and memorizing this week? Write it down. Share it with others.

Bringing It Home

Pondering the Passage:

What is the main point? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn

What did I learn?

Where has my thinking, beliefs, and values been challenged in this passage?

Do I find any of the characteristics ways of thinking or behaving of the ungodly in my life?

List and describe those areas in which I struggle.

Love

What does this passage teach me about God?

Has my thinking about God changed?

How have I learned to love God more and others selflessly as a result of this passage?

Have I learned ways that I have acted unlovingly towards others that I must change?

Live

What are the practical steps that I can take to apply to what I have learned in this passage?

Where must I change?

What do I need to repent and confess?

How will pondering and personalizing this passage change how I live my life today and moving forward?

Praying the Passage (ACTS)

What specific things can I pray adoring God because of what I learned in this passage?

What specific things do I need to confess based on what I learned from this passage?

What specific things do I need to thank God for based on what I learned from this passage?

What specific things do I need to request in prayer (supplication) based on what I learned from this passage?