Psalm 63:3-4 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:4

Thus will I bless thee while I live ,.... With his whole heart and soul, as he had sought after him, and as under a sense of his lovingkindness; and as he now praised him with his lips, so he determined to do as long as he had life and being; by proclaiming his blessedness, by ascribing blessing and honour to him, and by giving him the glory of all mercies temporal and spiritual; I will lift up my hands in thy name ; not against his enemies, against those that fought against him, as... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:4

I will lift up my hands in thy name - I will take God for my portion. I will dedicate myself to him, and will take him to witness that I am upright in what I profess and do. Pious Jews, in every place of their dispersion, in all their prayers, praises, contracts, etc., stretched out their hands towards Jerusalem, where the true God had his temple, and where he manifested his presence. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:4

Verse 4 In the words which follow, David expresses his consequent resolution to praise God. When we experience his goodness, we are led to open our lips in thanksgiving. His intention is intimated still more clearly in the succeeding verse, where he says that he will bless God in his life There is some difficulty, however, in ascertaining the exact sense of the words. When it is said, So will I bless thee, etc., the so may refer to the good reason which he had, as just stated, to praise God,... 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 63:4

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 63:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 63:1-11

Group of Brands