Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Psalms Chapter 63 mean?

Absalom, one of David’s sons, used deception and propaganda to gather followers (2 Samuel 15:1–6, 10–12). When the time was right, Absalom moved on Jerusalem and David was forced to make a hasty retreat (2 Samuel 15:13–14). This led David and those still loyal over the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:30) and beyond the Jordan river (2 Samuel 16:14) before they could find rest and safety (2 Samuel 17:27–29). This psalm involves themes highlighted by those events, such as physical thirst, danger, lies, and a need to depend on God.

David begins by expressing his desire to know God as equal to great thirst, such as when someone travels through the desert. Despite his difficult circumstances, he is fully committed to praising the Lord. David’s prior experiences had proven that God would provide him with victory and safety (1 Samuel 17:36, 51; 2 Samuel 8:6; Psalm 18:49–50). This confidence was tied to the Lord’s promises about David’s kingship and those who would inherit it (2 Samuel 7:11–13). Knowing this, David chooses to rely on the Lord for safety and trust in divine power (Psalm 63:1–8).

In contrast, David expects those who have lied and conspired against him to be defeated. In fact, he anticipates them suffering utter defeat. This includes imagery of men falling in battle and their corpses being consumed by scavengers. Those loyal to David, who love the Lord, can expect to celebrate victory. The dishonest ones who have opposed the king, however, will be silenced forever (Psalm 63:9–11).

Chapter Context
This song was inspired by David’s experiences during the rebellion of his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Other writings associated with this event include Psalms 3, 4, 5, 8, 41, and 62. When David evacuated Jerusalem, his traveling group made a difficult journey through dry, uninhabited wilderness areas (2 Samuel 16:14; 17:2, 27–29). The song creates a parallel between David’s physical needs and his desire to reconnect with the Lord.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

David was thirsty and fading into weakness in the wilderness of Judah, where he was escaping from his rebellious son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 16:14). That journey was difficult; David’s traveling group was in dire need of food and water once they crossed the Jordan river (2 Samuel 17:27–29). He uses that situation to symbolize his desire for fellowship with the Lord. David’s impulse to worship the Lord was as urgent as physical thirst (Psalm 42:1). Being separated from the tabernacle and the ark (2 Samuel 15:25) made David feel, spiritually, much as he did physically while traveling through the desert.

Because human beings have a physical nature, it’s easy to understand the importance of drinking and eating. However, human beings also have a soul which cannot be satisfied without trusting in Jesus as Savior. Jesus often used the analogy of water to explain the life-giving, vital nature of the gospel (John 4:13–14; 7:37–39). He said, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Jesus is the bread of life; He said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). David invites everyone to “taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8). In the same verse, he exclaims: “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

The word translated “earnestly” or “eagerly” is a Hebrew word which literally means “to seek early” or “diligently pursue.” The implication is that David turns to God as his first response, not his last resort. David’s priority is the Lord.

Context Summary
Psalm 63:1–4 expresses David’s intense desire to experience God’s presence and fellowship. David wrote these words while fleeing from enemies through a parched, uninhabited area (2 Samuel 16:14; 17:27–29). He compares his yearning for fellowship with God to his intense hunger and thirst. David vows to praise God forever because of the Lord’s loyal love.

Verse 2. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,beholding your power and glory.

At the beginning of Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13–14), David and a group of loyal followers evacuated through the wilderness and across the Jordan river. This dry, hungry, fearful trip inspired the words of this psalm. While fleeing, David recalls his worship in the tabernacle. This was the resting place of the ark of the covenant and the center of Israel’s worship before the building of the temple (Exodus 25:8–9). The various components of the tabernacle, including the ark (Exodus 25:10–22), symbolized the divine nature of God. The ark was the focal point of God’s presence, and it evoked His power and glory.

Before he was a fugitive, David had returned the ark to its rightful place in the tabernacle at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1—7:1). When David fled, priests followed with the ark; but David told them to return it to Jerusalem. He trusted that “if I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place” (2 Samuel 15:25). Even so, David was separated from the tangible symbol of God’s glory and love for Israel (Psalm 27:4). Years before, during the time of Israel’s priest and judge Eli, Philistines captured the ark. Upon hearing the bad news, Eli fell over backward from his seat, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:17–18). Hearing news of this and her husband’s death caused Eli’s daughter-in-law to go into labor. She named the baby Ichabod, meaning the glory has departed (1 Samuel 4:19–22).

Verse 3. Because your steadfast love is better than life,my lips will praise you.

This verse uses an important Hebrew root word: chesed. This is sometimes translated as “loving-kindness,” “steadfast love” or “unfailing love.” The term implies certainty, mercy, and a sense of promise. David recognizes the Lord’s love as stable and faithful. Rather than being afraid for his life, David chooses to rely on his faith in God (Psalm 63:1–2). These words were written while David fled from a rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13–14) yet David still prioritized worshipping the Lord.

Life without God’s love is empty. It may overflow with material possessions, but they cannot bring joy to the soul. God made a visible example of His love to sinners by giving His Son as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul writes: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The apostle John writes: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). He also says, “By this we know love, that [Jesus] laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16). Soon after, he offers proof of God’s great love by declaring that “God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).

Verse 4. So I will bless you as long as I live;in your name I will lift up my hands.

David was inspired to write these words by an emergency journey through the wilderness. He used his thirst and physical need during the evacuation (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 17:27–29) as an analogy for his desire to praise and worship God (Psalm 63:1–2). David’s intent to praise the Lord is based on his experience of God’s loyal, reliable love (Psalm 63:3).

Raising the hands toward heaven was a posture of praise in Old Testament times and a posture of prayer in the New Testament. First Kings 8:54 pictures Solomon kneeling before the altar “with hands outstretched toward heaven.” In Psalm 28:2 David states, “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” First Timothy 2:8 expresses Paul’s desire “that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.” Of course, the physical position taken during praise and prayer is not as important as the condition of the heart. David writes in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Verse 5. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

In the last passage, David compared his yearning for spiritual things with physical thirst and hunger (Psalm 63:1–4). Here, he continues with a similar analogy. When one is hungry, there is great pleasure in eating fine food and becoming full. In English, the term “gratified” describes a feeling of satisfied pleasure. Here, David implies he is as gratified by praising the Lord as he would be from a banquet.

David’s practice of praising God joyfully despite harsh experiences reflects an important truth for all believers. It is good to praise God even in dire circumstances, and to do so joyfully. God is good all the time, and He deserves to be praised joyfully. When the apostle Paul and Silas were attacked by an unruly crowd in Philippi, they were turned over to the city’s magistrates, who beat them with rods many times and threw into an inner prison. Yet, despite their despicable circumstances, Paul and Silas made the same choice as David: to praise God (Acts 16:19–25). Other prisoners listened to how Paul and Silas reacted to their dilemma (Acts 16:25). When God miraculously opened the prison doors and unbound the prisoners, everyone stayed. Had they escaped, the jailer would have been killed; in fact, he was about to kill himself. But Paul pointed out that everyone was there, and the jailor and his family came to saving faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:26–34). Unbelievers can be greatly influenced by believers’ joyful references to God, especially when times are hard.

Context Summary
In Psalm 63:5–8, David exults in the Lord. The prior verses compared David’s desire to know God with physical thirst and hunger. Now, he makes a comparison between the satisfaction of good food and the joy of worship. David looks to the past and sees the Lord’s powerful work in his life. As a result, he confidently trusts in God and expresses delighted praise.

Verse 6. when I remember you upon my bed,and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Instead of tossing and turning in bed, David turned to the Lord in confidence (Psalm 62:1–2). He desired to know God as much as a man traveling in the desert wishes for food and water (Psalm 63:1–4). For David, worship was as gratifying as an extravagant meal (Psalm 63:5). Moments of quiet, such as at night in bed, offered David further opportunity to consider all God had done. Those were additional moments to remember the Lord’s goodness and celebrate it (Psalm 63:7).

This psalm was inspired by a strained, dangerous evacuation through rough terrain (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 17:2, 27–29). And yet, David didn’t “only” mourn over his circumstances. In other psalms, he expresses grief over difficult times (Psalm 3:1; 22:1). Yet David used hard times as motivation: to become ever closer to the Lord. As David remembered God, and what He had accomplished in David’s life, it brought focus. To recall what God has said and done is an excellent practice for every believer. It keeps the mind on God’s promises and gracious deeds instead of on negative circumstances.

To “meditate” on God, as David did, is to reflect on the Lord’s nature, and actions, and words. This takes time and effort; it implies more than an occasional thought being spared for Him and His goodness.

Nighttime was often divided into “watches,” which were shifts where men would rotate through being alert while others rested. The watches of the night, in David’s context, were sunset to 10 a.m., 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and 2 a.m. to sunrise. For David to consider God during those moments, in this context, suggests he saw this as a source of rest and peace.

Verse 7. for you have been my help,and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

David’s meditations (Psalm 63:6) carried him back to thoughts of God’s past intervention on his behalf. The Lord rescued David from perilous situations (Psalm 18:17; 34:4). This history gave David confidence to trust in God despite new dangers (Psalm 63:1–4). David has explained how his experiences have made communion with God as vital as eating or drinking (Psalm 63:5–6).

Phrases such as “shadow of your wings” or “shelter under your wings” evoke the image of a mother bird. In blazing sun, rain, wind, or with lurking predators, birds will spread their wings over their young. In the Bible, this imagery is a common reference to protection for those who trust in the Lord (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; Matthew 23:37).

Earlier in the psalm, David also made references to God’s glory and places of worship (Psalm 63:2). This reference to wings also hints at the shape of the ark of the covenant. Cherubim spread their wings over the ark’s mercy seat: the ark’s lid (Exodus 25:10–22). The tablets of commandments were kept in the ark to remind the Israelites about God’s covenant with them, which included His law. This would also serve to remind the Israelites of their own sin. Once a year Israel’s high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat, symbolizing a covering which came between the gaze of a holy God and the sin of His people. Ultimately, Jesus shed His blood to provide forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Hebrews 10:12 says, “When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” David felt that God’s wings sheltered him and caused him to sing joyfully. All believers are sheltered under God’s wings, and they ought to sing joyfully because of this protection.

Verse 8. My soul clings to you;your right hand upholds me.

A theme of this psalm has been David’s total reliance on the Lord (Psalm 63:1). That trust comes from experiences where God proved Himself to David (Psalm 63:7), and David’s response of seeking spiritual intimacy with God. Here, that imagery continues as David speaks of being as close to God as possible: “clinging” to Him. The Hebrew word used here refers to extremely close contact, or “sticking.” This is the same root word used in Genesis to refer to the closeness of husbands and wives in marriage (Genesis 2:24). It is also used in the story of Ruth (Ruth 1:14), who famously stayed loyal and near to her mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 1:16). Another version of the word is part of Boaz’s instructions for Ruth to remain close to other women while gleaning (Ruth 2:8).

David maintained strong, active commitment because of his sense of God’s power. For most people, the right hand is naturally dominant. In ancient writing, the “right hand” is a symbol of one’s greatest strength. References to the right hand of God evoke His incredible might. Believers need not fear difficult circumstances, “for [God] has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6).

Verse 9. But those who seek to destroy my lifeshall go down into the depths of the earth;

This song was composed in reference to David’s evacuation during a rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 16:14; 17:27–29). Despite the danger, David expresses confidence in the Lord. He fully expects his enemies to be defeated. Figures of speech such as “go down into the depths of the earth” imply dead bodies in the grave. These are much like English expressions implying someone will be “buried” or “wind up six feet under.” The Hebrew terms used are general and refer to the “lowest places.” This connects to the Old Testament view of sheol: the underworld of the dead (Genesis 37:35; Psalm 55:15).

David believed in God’s justice. He knew the Lord would judge those who lied about him and tried to kill him (Psalm 35). He declined to take justice into his own hands but left it in God’s good timing. Ultimately, God did execute judgment on David’s enemies. Second Samuel 18:6–8 reports that David’s men killed thousands of the rebels’ opposing army. Someday, those who oppose Jesus, the chief descendant of David, will feel the rod of God’s punishment. Jude 1:14–15 predicts, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousand of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Context Summary
Psalm 63:9–11 concludes by contrasting two different fates. One is the doom of David’s enemies, who oppose the Lord’s will and tell lies (2 Samuel 15:13–14). The other destiny is that of David and his loyal followers. Enemies can expect death and disaster, while David and other godly people anticipate celebration in victory.

Verse 10. they shall be given over to the power of the sword;they shall be a portion for jackals.

To be “given over” to something means to fall under its control. When someone is under the power of the sword, it means they have been slain in battle or by an enemy’s weapon (Psalm 22:20; Job 5:20; Ezekiel 35:5). This psalm was written about David’s evacuation from an armed rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13–14). What David predicts here came to pass: his enemies suffered tremendous losses and the conspirators were killed (2 Samuel 18:6–8, 15). This verse also refers to “jackals” or “foxes,” meaning a scavenging animal from the wilderness. Throughout history, fallen bodies from major battles have often been handled by animals before they can be properly buried.

When Jesus returns to earth to establish His millennial kingdom, He will destroy His enemies with the power of the sword. Revelation 19:15 describes a sharp sword proceeding from His mouth that strikes down the nations. Verses 17 and 18 report an invitation an angel gives. He calls on the birds of the air to “come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” Verse 21 reports that the sword that proceeds from Jesus’ mouth also slays the rest of the followers of the beast and false prophet.

Verse 11. But the king shall rejoice in God;all who swear by him shall exult,for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

David was forced to evacuate Jerusalem, through the wilderness, during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 17:2, 27–29). That experience brought to mind ideas such as thirst and danger, which David used in the opening lines of this song (Psalm 63:1–6). Because the situation involves traitors and rebels, David makes a point of referring to “the king,” meaning himself. This demonstrates his confidence in God’s promise to give him the throne of Israel and grant him a long life (2 Samuel 7:11–12).

Those loyal to David, and to the Lord, would celebrate when his rule was secured. However, those who lied and betrayed David would not rejoice. Much of Absalom’s rebellion involved propaganda and crafty half-truths (2 Samuel 15:1–6, 10–12). David’s assurance here is that those lies would be stopped, by God Himself. This is consistent with God’s overall condemnation of lies and those who wield them. Revelation 21:8 says, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

End of Psalm 63

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