Psalm 63:1-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 63:1-2

The title tells us when the psalm was penned, when David was in the wilderness of Judah; that is, in the forest of Hareth (1 Sam. 22:5) or in the wilderness of Ziph, 1 Sam. 23:15. 1. Even in Canaan, though a fruitful land and the people numerous, yet there were wildernesses, places less fruitful and less inhabited than other places. It will be so in the world, in the church, but not in heaven; there it is all city, all paradise, and no desert ground; the wilderness there shall blossom as the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 63:3-6

How soon are David's complaints and prayers turned into praises and thanksgivings! After Ps. 63:1, 2 that express his desire in seeking God, here are some that express his joy and satisfaction in having found him. Faithful prayers may quickly be turned into joyful praises, if it be not our own fault. Let the hearts of those rejoice that seek the Lord (Ps. 105:3), and let them praise him for working those desires in them, and giving them assurance that he will satisfy them. David was now in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:1

O God, thou art my God ,.... Not by nature only, or by birth; not merely as an Israelite and son of Abraham; but by grace through Christ, and in virtue of an everlasting covenant, the blessings and promises of which were applied unto him; and he, by faith, could now claim his interest in them, and in his God as his covenant God; who is a God at hand and afar off, was his God in the wilderness of Judea, as in his palace at Jerusalem. The Targum is, "thou art my strength;' early will I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:2

To see thy power and thy glory ,.... Either the ark, as the Jewish writers generally interpret it; the symbol of God's presence and glory, and which is called his strength and his glory; see Psalm 78:61 ; or rather the Lord Christ, who is the power of God, as well as the wisdom of God; by whom he made the world, and upholds it; by whom he has redeemed his people, and keeps and preserves them; and whose power is seen in the efficacy of the word and ordinances: and who is also the glory of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:3

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life ,.... For life without the love of God is nothing else than death: a man that has no share in the love of God is dead while he lives; all the enjoyments of life, health, riches, honour, friends, &c.; are nothing without the love of God; the meanest temporal blessings with it are preferable to the greatest without it, Proverbs 15:17 ; it lasts longer than life, and therefore must be better than that; death cannot separate from it; it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:1

O God, thou art my God - He who can say so, and feels what he says, need not fear the face of any adversary. He has God, and all sufficiency in him. Early will I seek thee - From the dawn of day. De luce, from the light, Vulgate; as soon as day breaks; and often before this, for his eyes prevented the night-watches; and he longed and watched for God more than they who watched for the morning. The old Psalter says, God my God, til the fram light I wake ; and paraphrases thus: God of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:2

To see thy power and thy glory - in the sanctuary - In his public ordinances God had often showed his power in the judgments he executed, in the terror he impressed, and in awakening the sinful; and his glory in delivering the tempted, succouring the distressed, and diffusing peace and pardon through the hearts of his followers. God shows his power and glory in his ordinances; therefore public worship should never be neglected. We must see God, says the old Psalter, that he may see us. In... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:3

Thy loving-kindness is better than life - This is the language of every regenerate soul. But O how few prefer the approbation of God to the blessings of life, or even to life itself in any circumstances! But the psalmist says, Thy loving-kindness, חסדך chasdecha , thy effusive mercy, is better מחיים mechaiyim , than Lives: it is better than, or good beyond, countless ages of human existence. My lips shall praise thee - Men praise, or speak well, of power, glory, honor, riches,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:1

Verse 1 1.O God! thou art my God. The wilderness of Judah, spoken of in the title, can be no other than that of Ziph, where David wandered so long in a state of concealment. We may rely upon the truth of the record he gives us of his exercise when under his trials; and it is apparent that he never allowed himself to be so far overcome by them, as to cease lifting up his prayers to heaven, and even resting, with a firm and constant faith, upon the divine promises. Apt as we are, when assaulted... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:2

Verse 2 2.Thus in the sanctuary, etc. It is apparent, as already hinted, that God was ever in his thoughts, though wandering in the wilderness under such circumstances of destitution. The particle thus is emphatic. Even when so situated, in a wild and hideous solitude, where the very horrors of the place were enough to have distracted his meditations, he exercised himself in beholding the power and glory of God, just as if he had been in the sanctuary. Formerly, when it was in his power to wait... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 63:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 63:3-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:2

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