Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 63
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 63
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 63
"O God, thou art my God; earnestly will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, In a dry and weary land, where no water is. So have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy power and thy glory." — Psalms 63:1-2 (ASV)
Early will I seek thee. The true Christian devotes the morning hour to God. He opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his body, and awakes each morning to righteousness. He arises with a thirst after those comforts which the world cannot give, and has immediate recourse by prayer to the Fountain of the water of life.
The true believer is convinced that nothing in this sinful world can satisfy the wants and desires of his immortal soul; he expects his happiness from God, as his portion. When faith and hope are most exercised, the world appears a weary desert, and the believer longs for the joys of heaven, of which he has some foretastes in the ordinances of God on earth.
"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee. So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips; When I remember thee upon my bed, [And] meditate on thee in the night-watches." — Psalms 63:3-6 (ASV)
Even in affliction, we need not lack reason for praise. When this is the regular state of a believer's mind, a believer values the loving-kindness of God more than life. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life.
We must praise God with joyful lips; we must undertake the duties of religion with cheerfulness and express the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips.
David was in continual danger; care and fear kept him awake and gave him wearisome nights, but he comforted himself with thoughts of God. The mercies of God, when called to mind in the night watches, support the soul, making darkness cheerful.
How happy will be that last morning, when the believer, awaking in the Divine likeness, will be satisfied with all the fullness of God, and praise him with joyful lips, where there is no night, and where sorrow and sighing flee away!
"For thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall be given over to the power of the sword: They shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God: Every one that sweareth by him shall glory; For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. " — Psalms 63:7-11 (ASV)
True Christians can, in some measure, and at some times, make use of the strong language of David, but too often our souls cling to the dust. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be at ease and content, and undisturbed by the fear of evil. Those who earnestly follow God would soon fail, if God's right hand did not uphold them.
It is He who strengthens us and comforts us. The psalmist does not doubt that though now sowing in tears, he will reap in joy. Messiah the Prince will rejoice in God; He has already entered into the joy set before Him, and His glory will be completed at His second coming.
Blessed Lord, let our desire for You increase every hour; let our love always be upon You; let all our enjoyment be in You, and all our satisfaction from You. Be You all in all to us while we remain in the present wilderness state, and bring us home to the everlasting enjoyment of You forever.
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