Psalm 63:1-4

The composer of Psalm 63 yearns for Yahweh's constant presence, because in Yahweh alone is true life. The Hebrew word nephesh, "soul," occurs four times in this psalm (verses 1, 5, 8, 9). This word actually means "life" (the NRSV translates it "life" in verse 9), "vitality," "being," "energy," and the like. "Soul" or "Life" marks the beginning of each of the three parts of this psalm. In verses 1-4, the psalmist says:

"O God, you are my God, 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.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name."

1. Thirst is a universal human drive and need. No one can survive without water. Yahweh is the only spiritual water for the heart, who alone can satisfy the desires of the human spirit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 compares one who trusts in Yahweh with a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. As water nourishes the tree and makes it grow and bear fruit, so God nourishes the heart of a human being and makes her or him grow and bear fruit.
2. Yahweh's "power" and "glory" indicate his kingly rule over all creation (see Psalm 29:1, 10-11). When Yahweh appeared to Isaiah at the Jerusalem temple (note the reference to the "sanctuary" in Psalm 63:2), one seraph (heavenly being, angel) called to another, saying:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:3).
3. As in Psalm 62:11-12, the author of Psalm 63 links Yahweh's "power" with his "steadfast love" (verses 2-3). The song of victory which Moses and the Israelites sang just after crossing the Red Sea also combines these two characteristics of God (Exodus 15:13). Because of his "steadfast love," Yahweh forgives and redeems human beings (see Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 5:7; 57:10; 89:1-2, 14, 24; 117:1-2; and very often).
4. Since the life of every human being depends entirely and solely on Yahweh's "steadfast love," the only appropriate human response is praise and thanksgiving. One non-verbal way God's people demonstrate their praise and thanksgiving to God is by "lifting up their hands" when they pray and sing and praise him (verse 4; see Psalms 28:2; 141:2; 1 Timothy 2:8; and very often).
May God help us realize that his steadfast love is better than life, and praise him every day for his gracious gift and sustenance of life.

John Willis