THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.

Psalm 63

1David's thirst after God's service in his sanctuary: 4his manner of blessing God: 9his confidence of the destruction of his enemies, and of his own rejoicing.


0A Psalm of David, when he was in the wildernessa of 1Judah.

a 1 Sam. 22:5; 23:14, 15.

1 Fled into it because of Saul. See 1 Sam. 22:5; 23:14, 15.

1O GOD, thou art my God; 2early will I 3seek thee: my soul thirsteth for 4thee, my flesh 5longeth for thee in a 6dry and 7thirsty land, where no water is;

2 Or, at daybreak; that is, early, fervently and zealously, with a singular desire. See Job 7 on verse 21; Psalm 78:34; Prov. 1:28; Hosea 5:15; Luke 21:38.

3 To call upon Thee.

4 This is explained in the next verse.

5 Other, is withered, namely, of thirst. Some are of the opinion that the Hebrew word (only present here) signifies to be hot-hungry after food, as previously is spoken of being thirty.

6 As the deserts are commonly dry and destitute of water, Exod. 17:1; Num. 20:1, 2; Psalm 107:33, 35; Jer. 2:6.

7 Or, weary, that is, thirsty; as a land is called when it wants water, whereupon thirst follows. Some take it as if David spoke of himself, that he was like a faint and tired man (see Prov. 25:25) very dry and thirsty, wanting water, applying his outward lack to the spiritual, as follows. Compare Psalm 143:6.

2To 8see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the 9sanctuary.

8 By others thus: for to see thy strength and thine honor, so as I beheld thee in the sanctuary. The words are but a little transposed.

9 That is, in Thy pure worship, wherein Thou dost reveal these Thy attributes, and whereby the Messiah is typified.

3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips 10shall praise thee.

10 When this might happen unto me. Or, should praise thee; and so on in the sequel.

4Thus will I 11bless thee while I 12live: I will lift up my 13hands in thy name.

11 Or, praise. Understand, when Thou shalt have been so gracious to me, that I may freely again repair and appear in Thine house, as in former times.

12 That is, during all my life, as Psalm 104:33; 146:2.

13 Hebr. palms. See Psalm 28 on verse 2.

5My soul shall be 14satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with 15joyful lips:

14 This he opposes to the spiritual hunger and thirst after the public and solemn worship of God and the assemblies and communion of saints, whereof verses 1, 2. See Psalm 36 on verse 8.

15 Hebr. lips of cheerful songs, or of shoutings.

6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the 16night watches.

16 Of the four parts of the night, called by the Jews night-watches. See Exod. 14:24; 1 Sam. 11:11; Lam. 2:19; Mat. 14:25; 24:43; Mark 6:48, and compare further Psalm 1 on verse 2.

7Because thou hast been my 17help, therefore in the 18shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

17 Other, perfect help. Of the addition of the word perfect, see Psalm 44 on verse 26 and compare Psalm 3 on verse 2.

18 That is, Thy protection. See Ruth 2 on verse 12.

8My soul followeth 19hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

19 Willing to follow, and loath to leave or part from Thee.

9But those that seek my 20soul, to destroy it, shall go into 21the lower parts of the earth.

20 That is, those who go about to take away my life (see Exod. 4 on verse 19; 2 Sam. 4 on verse 8) with such fury and violence that all the land is in uproar and trouble for it. See Psalm 35 on verse 8.

21 That is, they shall be cast down on the ground, die and perish in the earth and hell.

10They 22shall 23fall by the 24sword: they shall be a portion for 25foxes.

22 Hebr. they shall overthrow him, that is, every one of them shall be thrown, etc.

23 That is, destroyed in that manner, that their blood, lives and faculties shall be poured out, flow and vanish away like water. Compare 2 Sam. 14:14.

24 Hebr. the hands. See Job 5 on verse 20.

25 That shall devour their dead carcasses. These animals did mightily abound in those countries. See Judges 15 on verse 4. Compare further Rev. 19:21.

11But the 26king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by 27him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak 28lies shall be stopped.

26 Namely I, David, when God, according to His promise, shall have exalted me to the kingdom which they seek to prevent, Psalm 62:4.

27 Namely, God; that is, he who truly honors and serves Him, shall joyfully count himself happy in God and His work of grace, that He shall have shown to me and to His people. Also Psalm 64:10.

28 Those who now so boldly and impudently belie me and other godly people, inventing and venting abroad whatever they list.