Click here to read PSALM 63 in poetic form.
Background
Psalms 61-72 complete the Exodus book in Psalms and show the Messiah’s great atoning work.
This Psalm includes the title “when he was in the wilderness of Judah.” I Samuel 22:5 says that “the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.” Of another occasion, I Samuel 23:14 says that “David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.”
Structure
(Verses 1-8) God’s goodness to David (and the Messiah)
(Verses 3,4) Justice against David’s enemies
(Verses 11,12) The Messiah will overcome his enemies
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” This is literally a “desert that causes one to faint.” David was refreshed in a wicked world by God’s goodness and love.
Verse 4—“I will lift up my hands in thy name.” Eastern people, especially in Bible times, show their devotion to God by lifting their hands to Him. This is also a gesture of surrendering cares and worries, and of bringing God’s blessings (see Genesis 14:22; Deuteronomy 32:40; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 28:2; 119:48; 134:2; 141:2; Lamentations 3:41; Luke 24:50; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 12:12).
Verse 7—“in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” David and Jesus Christ were both confident in God’s loving care for them, like a mother hen guarding her brood. This expression is found in three other Psalms (17:8; 36:7; 57:1).
Verse 10—“they shall be a portion for foxes.” What the King James Version translates as “foxes” is probably referring to a jackal. This animal is found in desolate and desert places (Lamentations 5:18; Ezekiel 13:4). This could be translated, “They shall have an inheritance with jackals.” Without trusting in God’s goodness, man is left open to the ravages and evil of the Devil, the wicked one.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
