What happens in Psalms 63

A psalm of David, written when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Despite being in a dry, barren place, David thirsts for God more than water. His love for God fills him more than the richest feast.

Psalms 63

Thirsting for God

Study note

David's soul thirsts for God in a dry and weary land. He longs to see God's power as he once saw it in the sanctuary. God's loving kindness is better than life itself.

1 O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 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;
2 I have caught a glimpse of you in the sanctuary — I have seen your power and your glory. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Your loyal love is more valuable than life itself. My lips will keep pouring out praise to you. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 I will bless you every day I am alive. I will lift my hands toward the sky and call on your name. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Satisfied as at a Feast

Study note

David's soul is satisfied like eating the richest food. He thinks about God on his bed and through the night watches. God's right hand holds him close.

5 My soul will be as satisfied as if I had eaten the richest meal. My mouth will overflow with joyful praise My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 when I think about you as I lie on my bed, turning you over in my mind through the quiet hours of the night. When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because you have been the one who helps me, I sing for joy while resting in the shadow of your wings. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul holds on tight to you. Your strong right hand never lets me go. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Enemies Will Fall

Study note

Those who seek to destroy David will go down to the depths. But the king will rejoice in God, and every honest person will be glad.

9 But those who are trying to destroy my life will be sent down into the deepest parts of the earth. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 They will fall by the sword. They will end up as food for jackals. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
11 But the king will celebrate in God. Everyone who makes their promises in God's name will have reason to be proud, because the mouths of liars will finally be shut. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Themes in Psalms 63

Thirsting for God in a dry seasonGod's love is better than lifeWorship in the night watchesClinging to God with all your soul

Living Psalms 63

David was in a literal desert, yet He said God's love was better than life itself. When you go through dry seasons — spiritually, emotionally, or physically — let those seasons intensify your longing for God rather than your complaints about Him. The desert can become the place where you discover how satisfying God really is.

Study Psalms in Covenant Path

Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.

Psalms 63
Study this book in the Clarity Edition Try Covenant Path