Psalms 63 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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1O 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;
PSALM 63
Psa 63:1-11. The historical occasion referred to by the title was probably during Absalom's rebellion (compare 2Sa 15:23, 28; 16:2). David expresses an earnest desire for God's favor, and a confident expectation of realizing it in his deliverance and the ruin of his enemies.
1. early ... seek thee--earnestly (Is 26:9). The figurative terms--
dry and thirsty--literally, "weary," denoting moral destitution, suited his outward circumstances.
soul--and--flesh--the whole man (Psa 16:9, 10).
2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
2. The special object of desire was God's perfections as displayed in his worship (Psa 27:4).
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
3. Experiencing God's mercy, which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for his praise (Psa 51:15).
4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
4. Thus--literally, "Truly."
will I bless--praise Thee (Psa 34:1).
lift up my hands--in worship (compare Psa 28:2).
in thy name--in praise of Thy perfections.
5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
9But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
9-10. those ... to destroy it--or literally, "to ruin," or, "for ruin"; that is, such as seek to injure me (are) for ruin, appointed to it (compare Psa 35:8).
shall go ... earth--into the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion for--
10They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
9-10. those ... to destroy it--or literally, "to ruin," or, "for ruin"; that is, such as seek to injure me (are) for ruin, appointed to it (compare Psa 35:8).
shall go ... earth--into the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion for--
11But 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.
11. the king--that is, David himself, and all who reverence God, "shall share a glorious part," while treacherous foes shall be for ever silenced (Psa 62:4).