> [[psalm-62|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-64|Next →]] --- # Psalm 63 ## Ardent Longing for God 1 A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. ^psalm-63-1 ### I 2 O God, you are my God— ^psalm-63-2 it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. 3 I look to you in the sanctuary ^psalm-63-3 to see your power and glory. 4 For your love is better than life; ^psalm-63-4 my lips shall ever praise you! ### II 5 I will bless you as long as I live; ^psalm-63-5 I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. 6 My soul shall be sated as with choice food, ^psalm-63-6 with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you! 7 I think of you upon my bed, ^psalm-63-7 I remember you through the watches of the night 8 You indeed are my savior, ^psalm-63-8 and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 9 My soul clings fast to you; ^psalm-63-9 your right hand upholds me. ### III 10 But those who seek my life will come to ruin; ^psalm-63-10 they shall go down to the depths of the netherworld! 11 Those who would hand over my life to the sword shall ^psalm-63-11 become the prey of jackals! 12 But the king shall rejoice in God; ^psalm-63-12 all who swear by the Lord shall exult, but the mouths of liars will be shut! \* (Psalm 63) A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. Separated from God ([Ps 63:2]), the psalmist longs for the divine life given in the Temple ([Ps 63:3] – [6]), which is based on a close relationship with God ([Ps 63:7] – [9]). May all my enemies be destroyed and God’s true worshipers continue in giving praise ([Ps 63:10] – [11])! \* (63:4) For your love is better than life: only here in the Old Testament is anything prized above life—in this case God’s love. \* (63:12) All who swear by the Lord: to swear by a particular god meant that one was a worshiper of that god ([Is 45:23]; [48:1]; [Zep 1:5]). a. (63:1) [1 Sm 24]. b. (63:2) [Ps 42:2]; [143:6]; [Is 26:9]. c. (63:8) ([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:8]; [36:8]. d. (63:12) [Ps 107:42]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-62|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-64|Next →]]