Return to Psalms
Sunday,
March 7 pm
Studies in Psalms
LONGING IN A DRY AND THIRSTY LAND
Psalm 63
a.
In the
Hebrew, the wording is “Elohym, El”.
While this is David’s personal proclamation, its strength to me
would say that He is God of gods.
b.
Let us
always be reminded to acknowledge His greatness when we approach Him.
It serves to remind us of our place as we stand before Him.
Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the
LORD, and greatly to be praised.
And His greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 96:4, “For the LORD is great
and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.”
a.
He seeks
early (cf. Psa. 5:3, 55:17, etc.) – David began his day seeking God with
prayer.
The Christian considers God throughout the day.
Let us be reminded that the best way to begin the day is by remembering
God. Thank Him for the day
ahead of you (even if it has started wrong, or should I say ESPECIALLY
if it has started wrong).
Pray for His wisdom and remembrance as you move ahead.
Such might give you proper perspective as you take the day on.
There is NO better way to begin your day as a Christian.
At times, Jesus arose early.
Mark 1:35, “Now
in the morning, having risen long before daylight, He went out and
departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
b.
He thirst
and longs for Him – considering where David was physically, in the
wilderness. (Rather than
describing spiritual barrenness, David is describing his real
surroundings).
NOTE: Even THEN as he awakes – God is on his mind.
Even in the most desperate of
times, let us take a moment to consider our Creator who rules the
universe.
The thirsting and longing are not casual desires but intense wants.
A good example would be Matthew 5:6 where Jesus said, “Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be
filled.”
c.
Vs. 2 – He
recalls the blessed time of the sanctuary where he was in the presence
of God.
Typical of David, among the things he misses the MOST is his absence
from the tabernacle.
Are such our desires when it comes to worshipping Him?
REMINDER: Don’t take for granted your ability to assemble with
the saints! We truly are
blessed as a nation (with freedom) and as a congregation with the
privilege to worship God together often.
But how much does it really mean to us?
When you cannot attend, how do you really feel about it? Are you
miserable? Is it just a passing thought easily soothed? OR do you not
think about it at all? This is about ATTITUDE!
a.
Because
Your lovingkindess is better than life, my lips will praise you.
We have noted the lovingkindness of God before – there is no better
example than God.
b.
NOTE how
David says that it is better than life.
1) Is it better than anything IN this life?
Would you choose serving God over anything or one in this life
(cf. Matt. 6:33)
2) Such ought to describe our attitude about this life in comparison to
what lies in store. How much
are we willing to sacrifice for God?
Is serving Him of greater value to us than preserving our own
life? Cf. Acts 20:24, “But
none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so
that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Philippians 2:17 where
Paul said, “Yes, and if I am being
poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your
faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
c.
When we
grasp the greatness of God – we will render TRUE praise.
The idea of blessing God as used
here means that we seek to glorify
Him. Something to continually
be reminded of.
Verse 4 describes how we bless God in this – “lift up my hands to His
name” – do not be ashamed of Him or hide your light under a basket.
This is not about posture as much as response from our heart.
a.
David’s
soul will be satisfied as with eating the luxurious parts.
Marrow and fatness are associated with health.
Consider a cow that is gaunt or one that is fat and strong.
David, IN the wilderness and probably hungry for a full diet
FEASTS upon God and His word!
It is his SOUL that is satisfied.
You see here a proper perspective.
I am reminded of Paul who had learned contentment in whatever
state he was in –
Phil. 4:11-12 – he knew
how to be full and hungry.
But he ALWAYS REMEMBERED the Lord.
1 Peter 2:3 after speaking
of growing with the milk of the word we read, “if indeed you have tasted
that the Lord is gracious.”
b.
His mouth
would praise the Lord!
c.
Even at
night, he remembers his God. Earlier we spoke of David arising and then
recognizing God. NOW, at the
close of the day he is STILL remembering God.
As we mature as Christians and more fully understand God’s influences in
our lives we become more grateful of Him.
We remember Him in the morning AND at night we thank Him for the
day and it’s blessings.
d.
NOTE: The
difficult times David is facing – he is fleeing his son, having been
betrayed and is now hungry and in need of help.
YET, he still finds time to praise God throughout the day!
What an attitude to imitate.
a.
David can,
as so often he did, recall God’s blessing from times past.
He KNOW God will be with him.
b.
Note how
he rejoices “in the shadow of your wings” – a reference to the
protective care of a mother bird for he young (cf. Ps. 57:1, 61:4).
David’s refuge!
c.
Similarly,
in vs. 8 he says, “My soul follows close behind you.”
We cannot draw too close to God.
In fact, we need to seek that closeness to Him.
Spiritually, we need to ensure
that He is closer to us than anyone or anything else.
Consider
Romans 8:35-39 speaks of NOTHING being able to separate us from
the love of God. Are we
following Him close enough that such is true?
d.
One other
observation. Three times in
this psalm (4 depending upon some versions – see vs. 9) David makes
reference to his soul. In
vs. 1, “My soul thirsts”, in vs. 5, “My soul shall be satisfied…” and in
this verse (8) “my soul follows close behind.”
NOTE the progression: From craving to satisfaction to complete
trust in Him. Where in that
progression are we? NOTE
that is starts with thirsting for Him!
a.
Typical
Davidic faith that trusts in God’s deliverance and the defeat of his
(and the LORD’s) enemies. We
have continually noted this theme and its lessons in the many psalms
studied before. Here I will
simply note that David’s faith is realized as Absalom IS defeated (2
Samuel 18). Some 20,000
enemies are slain and so is Absalom.
b.
In vs. 11,
Regardless of what happens, he (the king) will rejoice in God.
So should we!
c.
Note AGAIN
how David is not alone in his praises.
Here he includes, “Everyone who swears by Him shall glory.”
Our final thought notes how this verse speaks of those who “swear by
Him”.
TODAY, swearing by God is a loosely uttered expression.
When one says, “I swear to God” it often borders on blasphemy, as
the one is using His name frivolously.
That is the real essence of PROFANITY! Paul tells Timothy to “shun
profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
(2
Tim. 2:16)
However, in our text, those who “swears by Him” is reference to an oath.
It is describing those who have committed their lives to Him.
In the rebellion of Absalom, those loyal to God and who could,
fled with David.
As we conclude this lesson, let us realize the seriousness of the vows
we take before God. There is
the marriage vow, but there is also the vow we make when we obey the
gospel. We must take such an
occasion seriously. It is
not a flippant act, but an understanding of your new life.
1 Peter 3:21 after saying that baptism “now saves us” describes
it saying, “not the removal of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Paul in Romans 6:1-7 was reminding them of their vow in baptism – they
had put to death the man of sin.
Let us fully realize what we have done in obeying the gospel.