Psalm 63:9-11

The third and final part of Psalm 63 also begins with the psalmist referring to his "soul" (NRSV "life," that is, existence, self, energy). The composer says in verses 9-11:

"But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
they shall be given over to the power of the sword,
they shall be prey for jackals.
But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped."

Here the psalmist makes three bold contrasts between one who "rejoices" in God (see verses 5, 7, 11) and one who gives one's life to destroying others.
1. One who rejoices in God finds life and sustenance is God's presence and is satisfied, while one who gives one's life to destroying others goes down to Sheol away from God's presence and is never satisfied (verse 9; see Psalms 16:9-11; 86:13b; 88:3-7).
2. One who rejoices in God has his spiritual hunger satisfied by God (verse 5), while one who gives one's life to destroying others shall become food for jackals (verse 10).
2. One who rejoices in God seeks God and lives (verses 1, 3, 5), while one who gives one's life to destroying others shall be stopped (verse 11c).
Although the king of God's people was their earthly ruler, he was always subject to God and accountable to God on the basis of God's laws (verse 11a; see Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Psalm 20:6-9).

May we rejoice in God, and seek satisfaction for our soul in his presence.

John Willis