In this Psalm we hear the longing of the God-fearing for the sanctuary because it is God's dwelling place on earth. In the previous psalm, God is his trust, while here God is the great refreshment for his thirsty soul. As in Psalms 61-62, we see in this Psalm the longing for close fellowship with God. Psalms 61-63 by extension, also referto the same period in the end time and portray the remnant's exercises of faith when they are driven out of the Jerusalem. They come to realize that although they are far from Jerusalem, they may yet experience the LORD’s lovingkindness.
David begins the psalm by telling God Who He is to him, "thou art my God", (63:1). God is his God. This speaks of an intense love for God. His deep love for Him we also hear when he then says "early will I seek" God (with the implication of earnestness). He does so because his soul thirsts for Him and his heart yearns for Him (42:1-2). His soul and his flesh represent his whole person. His severe thirst and intense yearning are a spiritual reflection of the wilderness, a "dry and thirsty land". When the Lord Jesus says on the cross "I thurst" (John 19:28), it is a thirst for God because of the three hours in which He is forsaken by God.
Being thus occupied with God’s lovingkindness satisfies the soul as with "with marrow and fatness" (v. 5). Here the God-fearing transcends the wilderness conditions, so to speak, and his mouth praises God "with joyful lips". David knows he has enemies (v.9). The contrast indicated by the word "but" shows that his enemies have no part in Who God is to him and what he has in God. They want to take away from him his fellowship with God. Their fate is that they "shall fall by the sword" (v. 10). They have used the sword to bring down others and therefore will themselves be brought down by the sword, (Revelation 13:10; 19:17-18; 19:21).
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Psalms 63:2
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Psalms 63:3
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Psalms 63:4
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
Psalms 63:5
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
Psalms 63:6
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Psalms 63:7
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Psalms 63:8
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Psalms 63:9
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
Psalms 63:10
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
Psalms 63:11
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
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