Psalm 63
Psalm 63 King James Version (KJV)
63 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
The past few months have been some of the most trying of my life. As we buried our son and have dealt with the business of putting his affairs in order, the emotional upheaval has been overwhelming at times. I have found much solace and comfort and hope in the Psalms. I find myself reading them over and over as I look for strength and guidance.
Psalm 63 has been my “go to” Psalm for many years, as I went through so many different challenge; challenges with work situations, challenges of being a parent, and challenges as I sought the spiritual warfare to fight my own set of temptations.
In the face of so many obstacles in my life, when I felt as if I was totally helpless and did not have the strength, I turned to this Psalm and many times would find a quiet corner to read it over and over again and pray to God for wisdom, strength, and for the answers to my problems.
While reading this passage of scripture, inevitably my hopelessness, fears and weakness would fade as I focused my thoughts on God and praised and thanked Him in my heart. I would recall the events and circumstances in my life where God reached down to me and provided me with the strength I needed in that moment of my weakness.
As I read this psalm, it was as if the words were my own. How many times do I seek God and His strength when I lie in my own bed, and as I waken to start my day, and at evening time before I go to sleep. How often I thirst for God in the midst of the troubles and trials of each day and seek His strength. How many times has He come to my rescue when I was in the midst of emotional and spiritual defeat, as temptations try to overtake me.
In my reliance on my personal relationship with God through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, I am thankful that He reaches down in my most dire moments and becomes my strength and gives me just the wisdom I need at that moment. I can’t help but thank Him and praise His Holy Name as I ponder His gift of Grace and Mercy to me.
Please consider the words of this psalm, and seek God for your strength today. Let Him be your help, and rejoice in the strength He gives you.
About The Author
Shelby Cooper
Shelby Cooper is a retired IT professional that worked in the oil industry for 33 years. He is a former minister of music/youth and religious education where he served Baptist churches in Oklahoma. He is also an amateur radio operator and also enjoys photography and writing.