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Psalm 63

Comfort and Assurance in God’s Presence

A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.

1

O God, you are my God, 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;

I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

 

5

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,

and my mouth praises you with joyful lips

6

when I think of you on 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 sing for joy.

8

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

 

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 prey 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.


5. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow, etc. In accordance with what was said in the foregoing verse, David expresses his assured persuasion of obtaining a rich and abundant measure of every blessing that could call for thanksgiving and praise. At the period of composing this psalm, he may have been already in the enjoyment of ease and plenty; but there is reason to believe that he cherished the persuasion referred to, even when wandering in the wilderness in a state of poverty and destitution. If we would evidence a strong faith, we must anticipate the divine favor before it has been actually manifested, and when there is no present appearance of its forthcoming. From the instance here set before us, we must learn to be on our guard against despondency, in circumstances when we may see the wicked wallowing and rioting in the abundance of the things of this world, while we ourselves are left to pine under the want of them. David, in the present pressure to which he was exposed, might have given way to despair, but he knew that God was able to fill the hungry soul, and that he could want for nothing so long as he possessed an interest in his favor. It is God’s will to try our patience in this life, by afflictions of various kinds. Let us bear the wrongs which may be done us with meekness, till the time come when all our desires shall be abundantly satisfied. It may be proper to observe, that David, when he speaks in figurative language of being filled with marrow and fatness, does not contemplate that intemperate and excessive indulgence to which ungodly men surrender themselves, and by which they brutify their minds. He looks forward to that moderate measure of enjoyment which would only quicken him to more alacrity in the praises of God.


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