My Soul Thirsts For You Series

Introduction

I plan to continue our summer sermons on the Book of Psalms today.

Since so many people travel during the summer, and there may not be regular continuity of worship participation each week, examining the Psalms is an excellent option because each Psalm stands on its own.

Pastor Scott and I have been preaching on the Psalms of Trust (or Confidence) for the past few weeks.

There are six Psalms of Trust, and today, I would like to examine Psalm 63.

Commentator J. J. Stewart Perowne says of Psalm 63, “This is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and touching psalms in the whole Psalter” (J. J. Stewart Perowne, Commentary on the Psalms, 2 vols. in 1 [Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1989], 1:486. Original edition 1878–1879).

The superscription to Psalm 63 is as follows: “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.”

The superscription is part of the original Hebrew text. The authors of each Psalm wrote the superscriptions.

The editors wrote the titles for some of our English Bibles. You will notice in the English Standard Version that the editors have written: “My Soul Thirsts for You.” That is not part of the inspired text of Scripture.

The superscription, however, is part of the inspired text of Scripture.

First, I want you to notice that it is “A Psalm of David.” David wrote this psalm, one of at least 73 in the Book of Psalms.

Second, I want you to note that Psalm 63 was written “when he was in the wilderness of Judah.”

This Psalm was written when King David was fleeing from his son Absalom. It was a time of great adversity for David.

The story of Absalom’s rebellion is given to us in 2 Samuel 15-19.

Absalom was estranged from his father because he felt that David had mistreated him. He spent four years trying to win the approval of the people of God. Absalom set himself up as a rival king in Hebron when he thought the time was right.

David was caught off guard by Absalom’s action. Moreover, David feared that Absalom would attack him in Jerusalem. So, David fled from Jerusalem with a small entourage of those still loyal to him.

If Absalom had half his father’s military skill, he would have attacked David immediately, while Absalom still had the advantage. But Absalom did not have his father’s military skills.

Instead, Absalom listened to his counselors, who advised him to wait.

Absalom’s delay gave David time to regroup and prepare to take on Absalom and his army.

Absalom’s army was soundly defeated by David’s battle-experienced troops led by David’s faithful General Joab.

Twenty thousand of Absalom’s soldiers perished in the battle.

Absalom himself was one of the casualties, killed by Joab himself.

Psalm 63, then, was written by David shortly after his flight from Jerusalem. He was in the hot, dry Judean desert when he composed this Psalm.

Do you ever find yourself facing adversity?

Do you ever experience trials, hardships, or difficulties in your life?

Do you ever find yourself thinking, “If I am a Christian, then why am I experiencing so many problems in my life?”?

If so, then Psalm 63 is for you.

Scripture

Let’s read Psalm 63:1-11:

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;

all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Lesson

Psalm 63:1-11 teaches us about the believer’s trust in God, especially in times of adversity.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Believer’s Longing for God (63:1-4)

2. The Believer’s Satisfaction in God (63:5-8)