Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
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 63:3

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 63:3

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 63:3

Verse 3 3Because thy mercy is better than life, etc. I have no objections to read the verse in this connected form, though I think that the first clause would be better separated, and taken in with the verse preceding. David would appear to be giving the reason of his earnestness in desiring God. By life is to be understood, in general, everything which men use for their own maintenance and defense. When we think ourselves well provided otherwise, we feel no disposition to have recourse to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:1-8

Sublime things. Chrysostom says, "That it was decreed and ordained by the primitive Fathers that no day should pass without the public singing of this psalm." I. THE GRANDEST CONVICTION THE CREATURE CAN HAVE . ( Psalms 63:1 .) That God is ours, and that we are God's. II. THE GRANDEST LONGING OF BODY AND SOUL . ( Psalms 63:1 .) III. THE GRANDEST VISION OF LIFE . ( Psalms 63:2 .) To see the power and glory of God. IV. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:1-11

The psalm is made up of five short stanzas—the first four consisting of two verses each, and the last of three. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:1-11

Soul thirst. We may imagine the psalmist in the wilderness. It is night. He stands at his tent door. The light of moon and stars falls on a sandy waste stretching into dimness and mystery. He is lonely and sad. The emptiness of all around and the memory of better times breed a great longing in his soul. It is not as if it were something new and strange, rather it is the revival of the deepest and strongest cravings of his heart, that as he muses gather force and intensity, and must express... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:3

Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. The complete resignation of the psalmist, his sense of God's "loving kindness," and his desire to "praise," not to complain, are, under the circumstances, most wonderful, most admirable, and furnish a pattern to the Church in all ages. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 63:3

Because thy loving-kindness is better than life - Thy favor; thy mercy. This is of more value than life; more to be desired than life. Life is the most valued and valuable thing pertaining to this world which we can possess. See the notes at Job 2:4. But, above this, David valued the favor and friendship of God. If one or the other was to be sacrificed, he preferred that it should be his life; he would be willing to exchange that for the favor of God. Life was not desirable, life furnished no... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 63:3

Psalms 63:3. Because, &c. Here we see the reason of the psalmist’s thirst after God, as is expressed in the two preceding verses; thy loving-kindness is better than life That is, the discoveries and influences of thy grace and favour, which thou usually impartest to thy people in thy sanctuary, are more durable, and comfortable, and satisfactory than the present life, with all the imaginary advantages belonging to it. Mark well this declaration of the psalmist, reader. God’s... read more

Group of Brands