PSALM LXIII _David's soul thirsts after God, while absent from the_ _sanctuary, and longs to be restored to the Divine_ _ordinances_, 1, 2. _He expresses strong confidence in the Most High, and praises_ _him for his goodness_, 3-8; _shows the misery of those who do not seek God_, 9, 10; _and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:2. _TO SEE THY POWER AND THY GLORY - IN THE SANCTUARY._] In his public ordinances God had often showed his _power_ in the judgments he executed, in the terror he impressed, and in awakening the sinful; and his glory in delivering the tempted, succouring the distressed, and diffusing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:3. _THY LOVING-KINDNESS_ IS _BETTER THAN LIFE_] This is the language of every regenerate soul. But O how few prefer the approbation of God to the blessings of life, or even to life itself in _any circumstances_! But the psalmist says, _Thy_ _loving-kindness_, חסדך chasdecha, thy _eff... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:4. _I WILL LIFT UP MY HANDS IN THY NAME._] I will take God for my portion. I will dedicate myself to him, and will take him to witness that I am upright in what I profess and do. Pious Jews, in every place of their dispersion, in all their prayers, praises, contracts, c., _stretched... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:5. _MY SOUL SHALL BE SATISFIED_] I shall have, in the true worshipping of thee, as complete a sensation of spiritual sufficiency and happiness, so that no desire shall be left unsatisfied, as any man can have who enjoys health of body, and a fulness of all the necessaries, convenienc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:6. _WHEN I REMEMBER THEE UPON MY BED_] I will lie down in thy fear and love; that I may sleep soundly under thy protection, and awake with a sense of thy presence and approbation; and when I awake in the _night watches_, or be awakened by them, I will spend the waking moments in medi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:7. _THEREFORE IN THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS_] I will get into the very secret of thy presence, into the holy of holies, to the _mercy-seat_, over which the _cherubs extend their wings_. If the psalmist does not allude to the _overshadowing_ of the _mercy-seat_ by the _extended wings of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:8. _MY SOUL FOLLOWETH HARD AFTER THEE_] דבקה נפשי אחריך _dabekah naphshi achareycha_, "My soul cleaves (or) is glued after thee." This phrase not only shows the _diligence_ of the pursuit, and the _nearness_ of the attainment, but also the _fast hold_ he had got of the mercy of his G... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:9. _LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH._] They are appointed, in the just judgment of God, to destruction; they shall be slain and buried in the earth, and shall be seen no more. Some understand the passage as referring to the punishment of _hell_; which many supposed to be in the _centre of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:10. _THEY SHALL FALL BY THE SWORD_] _They shall be poured out_ _by the hand of the sword_, Heb. That is, their life's blood shall be shed either in war, or by the hand of justice. _THEY SHALL BE A PORTION FOR FOXES._] They shall be left _unburied_, and the _jackals_ shall feed upon... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 63:11. _BUT THE KING SHALL REJOICE_] David shall come to the kingdom according to the promise of God. Or, if it refer to the _captivity_, the _blood royal_ shall be preserved in and by _Zerubbabel_ till the _Messiah_ come, who shall be David's spiritual successor in the kingdom for ever... [ Continue Reading ]