Summer in the Psalms Week Four: Psalm 63:1-8
I went on a mission trip with my youth group to the Dominican Republic when I was 16. We worked with a local church to host a vacation Bible school for the village children and rebuilt homes that had fallen into sever disrepair. By the end of the week, I had seen first-hand the effects of extreme poverty. But I also witnessed how the Dominican believers found joy in Christ in all things from a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich to a new toothbrush. I learned that they didn’t focus on what their lives were missing as my American perspective had taught me. Instead, they rejoiced in Jesus’ abundant love and provision.
We see a similar perspective in today’s passage. Psalm 63 was written by David likely when he was fleeing from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and take the throne. To save his own life and avoid confrontation with his son, David flees to the wilderness of Judah.
Read Psalm 63:1-8
Psalm 63:1-8 (NLT)
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
Write down your answers to the following questions.
- How does David describe God?
- Describe the relationship David has with God?
- What are some of the promises or claims made in this passage?
Throughout the Psalms we see glimpses of David’s circumstances from the highest highs to the lowest lows. In Psalm 63 David is enduring threats to his reign while also facing the dangers of the wilderness, notably his pangs of thirst and hunger. Despite his dire situation, which would cause most of us to groan and complain, we find David praising God, recounting His glory and power, and clinging to His promises.
David’s dry mouth and rumbling tummy served as a reminder of his deeply rooted desire and need for God. As he dreamed of the royal feast once at his fingertips, David realizes God satisfies in ways food and drink, and even the royal lifestyle, never will.
During a sleepless night David chooses to focus on God instead of allowing himself to wallow in worry or regret. He recounts his past taking special note of the time God has helped and protected him. Meditation on the faithfulness of God lead David to joyfully cling to his creator and savior.
David and my Dominican friends have a lot in common. When both were living through crushing challenges, they chose to find joy in Christ. They knew a truth that I struggle with every day: God is more satisfying than anything this world has to offer.
Reflection
- What challenges are you facing today? How can you praise God through your circumstances?
- What thing, person, talent, goal, etc. have you valued above God?
- How has God provided for you in your past? How is He providing for you today?
- Spend some time meditating on Christ. Praise Him for who He is, His love, and His provision in your life.
Additional Resources:
This is post four in the Summer in the Psalms series. If you missed the first three posts, you can read them here: