Psalm 63 explained: Thirsting for God in the Desert

Thirst in a dry land (vv. 1-2)

The psalm's heading links it to a time David was in the desert of Judah, likely on the run, and he uses real desert thirst as a picture of his longing for God. He remembers sensing God's power and glory at the sanctuary, the central place of worship he is now cut off from.

Love better than life (vv. 3-5)

He says God's loyal, steady love is worth more than life itself, so he will keep praising God for as long as he lives. Raised hands were a common posture of prayer, and the picture of a rich, fatty meal stands for being deeply satisfied, like after a feast.

Lying awake remembering (vv. 6-8)

The night was divided into guard shifts called watches, so he means thinking of God through the long hours of the night. Shelter under God's wings pictures a bird protecting its young, and some think it also echoes the winged figures in the sanctuary, though that is less certain.

The fate of his enemies (vv. 9-10)

He bluntly expects those trying to kill him to die by the sword, go down to the grave, and be left for jackals to eat. Lying unburied was considered a great disgrace, and the psalm does not soften this hope.

The king rejoices (v. 11)

The king is most likely David himself, and those who swear by God are people who make their promises in God's name, meaning those loyal to him. The liars are probably the people spreading falsehoods against the king, and he expects them to be silenced.

Key verse: Psalm 63:3

Something to think about

When have you wanted something so badly it felt like thirst, and what did that longing show you about what you value most?