Psalms 63:8

_WHEN I REMEMBER THEE UPON MY BED, AND MEDITATE ON THEE IN THE NIGHT WATCHES._ -Second strophe. His hearty desire after God even now in his banishment, whence follows the confident hope of the destruction of his enemies who banished him. Verse 6. WHEN I REMEMBER THEE UPON MY BED, (AND) MEDITATE ON THEE IN THE NIGHT WATCHES. Thus, the English version connects this verse with Psalms 63:5. But the division of the strophes renders the following translation preferable, which, moreover, obviates the need of supplying "and:" 'Whenever I remember thee upon my bed, I meditate on thee in the night watches.' The remembrance of thee on my bed so engrosses me that I cannot draw my mind off the thought, so as to fall into the obliviousness of sleep; I often meditate on thee through the whole night watches. So...

8_My soul has cleaved hard after thee _The Hebrew verb means also _to apprehend, _or _follow, _especially when in construction with the preposition which is here joined to it, and therefore we might very properly render the words, — _My soul shall press or follow after thee. _(434) But even should the other translation be retained, the sense is, that David’s heart was devoted to God with steadfast perseverance. The phrase, _after thee, _is emphatical, and denotes that he would follow with unwearied constancy, long as the way might be, and full of hardships, and beset with obstacles, and however sovereignly God might himself seem to withdraw his presence. The latter clause of the verse may be taken as referring simply to the deliverance which he had previously mentioned as having been received. He had good reason to persevere, without fainting, in following after God, when he considered t...

7-11 True Christians can, in some measure, and at some times, make use of the strong language of David, but too commonly our souls cleave to the dust. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be easy and pleased, and quiet from the fear of evil. Those that follow hard after God, would soon fail, if God's right hand did not uphold them. It is he that strengthens us and comforts us. The psalmist doubts not but that though now sowing in tears, he should reap in joy. Messiah the Prince shall rejoice in God; he is already entered into the joy set before him, and his glory will be completed at his second coming. Blessed Lord, let our desire towards thee increase every hour; let our love be always upon thee; let all our enjoyment be in thee, and all our satisfaction from thee. Be thou all in all to us while we remain in the present wilderness state, and bring us home to the everlasting enjoym...

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 God....

MY SOUL FOLLOWETH HARD AFTER THEE - The word used here - דבק _dâbaq_ - means properly to cleave to; to adhere; to be glued to; to stick fast. Then it means to attach oneself to anything; and then, to pursue or follow after. The idea here is that of adhering to, or cleaving to; and the meaning is, that the psalmist adhered firmly to God, as pieces of wood glued together adhere to each other; that he, as it were, stuck fast to him; that he would not leave him or be separated from him. The language represents the feelings of true piety in adhering firmly and constantly to God, whatever there may be that tends to separate us from him. The adhesion of bodies by glue is a striking but not an adequate representation of the firmness with which the soul adheres to God. Portions of matter held together by glue may be separated; the soul of the true believer never can be separated from God....

EXPOSITION A PSALM of one absent from the sanctuary, and longing to return to it (Psalms 63:1, Psalms 63:2), pursued by enemies who seek his life (Psalms 63:9), but confident in God's protection (Psalms 63:7, Psalms 63:8), and, indeed, full of joy and praise and thankfulness (Psalms 63:3 and Psalms 63:11). Near the close he lets fall a word, which shows him to be a ki

MY SOUL FOLLOWETH HARD AFTER THEE,.... In a way of duty, and in the use of means; as prayer, meditation, c. though at a distance from the house of God, and worship of it that he might not lose sight of him; that he might know more of him, and have more communion with him; being drawn after him with the cords of love, and strongly affected to him. Or, "my soul cleaveth after thee", or "to thee" t; not to the world, and the things of it; not to that which is evil, but to that which is good, even the "summum bonum"; not to the creature, but to the Lord; which is expressive of union to him, even such an one as is between man and wife, who cleave to each other, and are one flesh, Genesis 2:24; and as is between head and members, vine and branches; see 1 Corinthians 6:17; and of communion in the exercise

«A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.» Shall we praise God in the garden and not praise him in the wilderness? No; we will sing a new song when we come into the desert; for, even if we are in a desert, that is no reason why there should be a desert in us, so let us praise God even in our wilderness experience. Psalms 63:1. _O God,_ Two very solemn words; never use them, I pray you, as hasty, thoughtless expressions. God's name must never be taken in vain; I fear that there are some who do this, and are not rebuked for it. When we say, «O God,» there ought to be something solemn to follow. Psalms 63:1. _Thou art my God;_ The second word «God» signifies «my strong one, my mighty one, to whom I can bring all my weakness and all my care; for t

Psalms 63 Heart Longings _ 1. To see Thy power and glory (Psalms 63:1)_ 2. Satisfied longings (Psalms 63:5) A Psalm of David when he was an outcast in the wilderness of Judah. Thus it fits in well with the outcast remnant, thirsting after God, longing to see His power and His glory displayed. And these longings are created in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, as in our hearts also. These longings will be satisfied in the coming day of His manifestation, when His people shall praise and worship Him....

LXIII. Written by one who has seen God's glory in the Temple and resolved to praise Him all his life. He is confident his enemies will perish. Psalms 63:11 refers to a Hebrew king, possibly Maccabean. The language of the Ps. is late. PSALMS 63:1. Follow _mg._ IN A DRY: read, as a dry. As the parched soil pines for rain, so the Psalmist for union with God. Psalms 63:2. So: read as. Place Psalms 63:4 immediately after Psalms 63:2....