“THE PSALMIST’S THIRST FOR GOD” PSALM 63:1-11

The historical background of this psalm of lament is unknown. Psalm 64 transcends the experience of David and looks prophetically to the time when a godly remnant will experience the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:6), the great Tribulation Period (Revelation chapters 6-19).

Because of the wicked scheme of his enemies, David prayed earnestly for the Lord’s protection as he pleads, “Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:” (vv. 11-2). As believers in this age of grace, we definitely need the Lord’s protection in our communities, for Psalm 127:1 states, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” It is a comforting fact to know that we are always under God’s steadfast surveillance.

In verses 3-6, David revealed the malicious attacks of the wicked, plots that revealed the nature of who they were. Observe their tactics in verse 5, “They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?” Although they may scheme and be cunning, God will bring their plans to naught (vv. 7-8). Their end is revealed in verse 7, “But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.”

The punishment of the Lord on the wicked will have a profound effect on the righteous, resulting in the righteous trusting and praising God (vv. 9-10). The righteous resolve in verse 10 states, “The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.”

In conclusion, David knew that the Lord was his steadfast deliverer, which prompted him to praise the Lord, for Psalm 71:4-6 says, “Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art He that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.” Just as David, and because the Lord has delivered us, we need to praise Him.

May God Bless!