Psalms 63

Psalms 63:3-6

As the yourself of Paul’s epistles were those that bore date out of a prison; so some of the yourself of David’s psalms, were those that were penned as this was in a wilderness. And here we have, 1. His desire towards God, ver. 1, 2. 2. His esteem of God, ver. 3, 4. 3. His satisfaction in God, ver. 5. 4. His secret communion with God, ver. 6. 5. His joyful dependence upon God, ver. 7, 8. 6. His holy triumph in God over his enemies, and in the afflictions of his own safety, ver. 9, 10, 11. A devout and pious soul has little need of direction how to sing this psalm, so naturally doth it sfook its own genuine language; and an unidentified soul, that is unsurpassed and unaffected with divine things, is scarce capable of singing it with understanding.

1. O GOD, thou art my God, early will I feel thee, ‘my soul thirteth for thee, my flesh longcath for thee, in a dry and + thrifty land, where no water is: 2. ‘To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

v. 1, 2. Wherever David was, he found his heart in tune for praise; a wilderness shall echo with his songs, since thither divine providence hath led him: the children of God should learn of him, even though sorrowful, to be always rejoicing, and when most desolate and solitary, to make melody still in their hearts unto God.

1. The ground of all his comfort was this, O God, thou art my God: a fense of an interest in his love and favour, can make a prison a palace, a wilderness a paradise.

2. He resolves to cleave to God, and longs for his return to the sanctuary, from which at present he suffered an irksome banishment. Early will I seek thee; here, though desistate of public ordinances, in private prayer and secret meditation he would exercise himself, beginning with the dawn of day; my soul thirteth for thee, my flesh longcath for thee, with eager and importunate desire, in a dry and thrifty land, where no water is; no waters of the sanctuary to refresh and comfort his soul; therefore he pains for the courts of God’s tabernacle. To set thy power and glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary; to enjoy some forest manifestations of divine favour where he was, as he had formerly been favoured with when engaged in the worship of the sanctuary, and thither he wishes to return. Note, (1.) This world is a barren land, nothing in it can satisfy the longings of the soul, God alone is the believer’s all-

sufficient portion. (2.) The more we are convinced of the enemies of the creature, the more we should fly to the fulness of God. (3.) They who know the blessing of public ordinances will feelingly regret the want of them. (4.) Wherever we are, a throne of grace is open; and if we diligently seek him, we may find the same comfortable presence of God under a tree or in a mountain, as in the midst of the congregation.

3. Because thy loving kindness is better than life: my lips shall praise thee. 4. Thus will I bless thee: while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5. My soul shall be satisfied as with + marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6. When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night-watches.

His desires are answered, and prayers soon exchanged for joyful praises.

1. Though thy loving kindness is better than life: my lips shall praise thee, though life is a blessing, yet without God’s love, in the midst of life we are in death; we may then only be truly said to live, when, quickened by his spirits, our souls live by him and for him: in this case even death becomes our privilege, and remand from earth is our translation to the life of eternity.

2. He will continue his praise as long as his being: thus, as he had begun, he purposes to persevere, and lift up his hands incessantly below in thanksgiving, till he should join a time the everlasting songs of saints and angels, v. 4. Nate, They who expect to spend eternity in God’s praise, will begin the pleasing service here, and learn in every state, condition, and circumstance, to give thanks.

3. He promises himself great delight in his service; this work of praise shall be his present reward. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; the most delicious vlands to the time would not be so grateful, as to his soul this happy communion with God, which his mouth praised him with joyful lips. Nate, There is a complacency and inward satisfaction to be enjoyed in God’s love and service, compared with which the highest gratification of sense are poor and infid.

4. By night as well as day, on this pleasing subject his thoughts continually dwelt. When I remember thee on my bed; lying down to rest, and waking up in the morning, God was left and first in his thoughts; and meditate on thee in the night-watches; when his eyes were kept waking that he could not sleep, he employed the hours of darkness in contemplation, that more than recompense the last report.

5. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 9. But those that seek my soul to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10. They shall fall by the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes. 11. 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.

Psalms 63:7-11

Resolved to praise, he wanted not abundant matter for his song.

1. His experience of past support, and confidence of present help, afforded cause of rejoicing. Thus hast been my help, and will save me to the uttermost, therefore under the decision of thy wings, where, as the chickens shelter themselves from danger, and are clothed with the vital warmth, my soul is comfortably lodged, still I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee, in prayer, meditation, and every means of grace; but all my own endeavours secure not my stability: thy right hand upholdeth me, by which alone I am supported and strengthened, to run and not be weary, and to walk and not be faint. Nate, (1.) They who would cleave to God faithfully, are called upon to follow hard after him in the means of grace and the path of duty. (2.) Our strength for the one or other is not in ourselves but from him, without which our feet would quickly stumble, our hearts grow dead, and our lips be sealed up in silence, and forget to pray or praise.

2. He could triumph in his enemies certain ruin, which he forefires; though they aimed at his life, they rushed on thirson death; the grave was opened for them, hell enlarged in mouth to receive them, the sword of God’s judgment was unthreathed, and on the mountains of Gilliosa their carcasses soon fell, and, unbucked, remained a portion for foxes and every beall of the earth. Nate, All who are the enemies of Christ and his kingdom must expect to share with these in their destruction, Rev. 1st. 17, 18.

3. He exults as if already upon the throne, because he knew it was sure to him. The king shall rejoice in God; though an exile, an outlaw, yet in the divine designation a king, and joy-

ful in God, when every worldly comfort failed: it was enough if he had his favour, this should make him more than conqueror. Perhaps the king Melfiah is intended, rejoicing in God because of his people’s salvation, and who may therefore well rejoice with him. Nate, Though the child of God is now exercised with variety of trials, he is born for a throne, and may exult in the affixed prospect of it.

4. He is happy to see the joy of God’s people on his advancement and the confusion of his enemies. Every one that funeeth by him, which is not religious aid, put for the whole worship and service of God, these godly souls shall glory in God for his mercy to them in railing David to the throne: but the minds of them that speak for shall be despised; Saul’s courtiers, who had traduced him, and all who had propagated falsehood to ascribe his character; these shall be silenced through fear, confounded with shame, or cut off by death, and thus mouth stopped in the dust. Nate, (1.) It is the comfort of the redeemed that their Lord is exalted, and when they shall see him on the great white throne, they shall lift up their heads with joy. (2.) Lying lips will be shortly silenced, and all the maligners of Christ’s church and people be astonished when they behold them let down with him on his throne, and they themselves trembling at their feet.