Psalms 63:1

O God, thouart my God Elohim, thou art my El. He addresses Jehovah, for Elohimhere is the substitute for that Name (cp. Psalms 140:6), as the Strong One to whom he can appeal with confidence in his need. Cp. Psalms 42:2; Psalms 42:8-9; Psalms 43:4.

early will I seek thee So the LXX, πρός σε ὀρθρίζω (the word used in Luke 21:38); and hence the use of the Psalm as a morning Psalm. Rather, however, earnestly will I seek thee; though sometimes (e.g. Isaiah 26:9) the word seems to be used with allusion to the supposed derivation from shachar, -dawn."

my soul … my flesh My whole self, soul and body. Cp. Psalms 84:2, -soul, heart, flesh": the emotions, the reason and the will, the physical organism in and through which they act.

thirsteth for thee See Psalms 42:2, note; Psalms 84:2.

longeth for thee Pineth for thee, a strong word, occurring here only, meaning probably, -faints with desire."

in a dry and thirsty, land In a dry and weary land (Psalms 143:6; Isaiah 32:2). These words are certainly metaphorical, not literal: it is the -water of life" for which he thirsts; the spiritual refreshment with which God revives the fainting soul. But the metaphor was naturally suggested by the circumstances in which David was situated.