Read & explore together
Thirsting for God
Psalm 63 is a song of strong desire for God. It uses pictures of thirst, food, night and safety to show that seeking God, remembering him and praising him belong together.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the speaker addresses God directly. He says he seeks God like a person longing for water in a dry place, remembers seeing God’s power and glory in the sanctuary, praises God’s loving kindness, and contrasts staying close to God with the fate of those who seek his life and speak lies.
Psalms 63:1–11Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that deep longing for God leads the speaker to praise, remembrance and confidence in him.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A thirsty soul seeks GodThe psalm opens with direct address: “God, you are my God.” The speaker is not merely curious about God but “earnestly” seeks him.
Explanation
The psalm opens with direct address: “God, you are my God.” The speaker is not merely curious about God but “earnestly” seeks him. The language of thirst and a dry land gives a picture of deep need. The desire is for God himself, not only for relief from hard conditions.
02Remembering God brings praiseThe speaker recalls seeing God’s power and glory in the sanctuary. From that memory comes a response of praise, because God’s loving kindness is called “better than life”.
Explanation
The speaker recalls seeing God’s power and glory in the sanctuary. From that memory comes a response of praise, because God’s loving kindness is called “better than life”. Blessing God, lifting hands and praising with lips show that worship is expressed openly and personally in this song.
03The speaker is satisfied and helpedThe psalm moves from thirst to satisfaction. The speaker says his soul will be satisfied like someone eating rich food, and praise continues with joyful lips.
Explanation
The psalm moves from thirst to satisfaction. The speaker says his soul will be satisfied like someone eating rich food, and praise continues with joyful lips. Even at night, he remembers God. God has been his help, and the image of the shadow of God’s wings speaks of nearness and protection.
04Closeness to God contrasted with enemiesThe speaker says, “My soul stays close to you,” while God’s right hand holds him up. In contrast, those seeking his life will go to “the lower parts of the earth” and be given to the sword.
Explanation
The speaker says, “My soul stays close to you,” while God’s right hand holds him up. In contrast, those seeking his life will go to “the lower parts of the earth” and be given to the sword. The psalm ends with rejoicing in God, praise, and the silencing of lying mouths.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What word pictures in verse 1 show how strongly the speaker wants God?
Look at the images of thirst, longing and a dry land, and notice that they describe desire for God himself.
02Why does the speaker praise God so strongly in this psalm?
The text points to God’s power and glory, and especially says his loving kindness is better than life.
03How does the psalm connect remembering God with joy and confidence?
Notice what happens at night when the speaker remembers God, and how that leads to rejoicing and staying close to him.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 63:1–11
1God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.
2So I have seen you in the sanctuary, watching your power and your glory.
3Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
4So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.
5My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,
6when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches.
7For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.
8My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.
9But those who seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10They shall be given over to the power of the sword. They shall be jackal food.
11But the king shall rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him, for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be silenced.