Keraia
Psalm 63

Psalm 63:1

Thirsting for God · Psalm 63:1–11
Read Psalm 63

Translations

Modern
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
Traditional
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;
Literal
A Psalm of David, in his being in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; I seek after You—my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You—in a land dry and weary, without waters.
Latin
Psalmus David, cum esset in deserto Idumææ. Deus, Deus meus, ad te de luce vigilo. Sitivit in te anima mea; quam multipliciter tibi caro mea!

Original

Hebrew
English
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

Notes

Psalms 63:1

  • Together, soul and body refer to a person's entire being.

  • dry and weary land: When David lived in the desert, he felt spiritually empty, away from God's people and the sanctuary.

Psalms 63:1–11

The king deeply desires God's presence. He experiences God's goodness in everything he does. Despite being tired and troubled by the wicked, the king finds strength in God and praises him. God is his source of life (Psalm 63:3), while the wicked face destruction (63:9).

Psalms 61:1–63:11

In these royal prayers, the psalmist longs for God’s presence. All three psalms concern themselves with the king’s security.

Psalms 51:1–65:13

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Theme notes and profiles

David Pure Worship

Parallels

2 Samuel 15:30–37

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

David Fellowship John the Baptist Music Presence of God Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of Water Zion

Topics

Being Thirsty David: King of Israel: He Probably Writes, at This Time Desire: Spiritual Dry Places Early Rising: Requisite For: Devotion Power of God: Saints Long for Exhibitions of Psalms: Afflictions Rising: Early for Devotions Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning Seeking God: Saints: Early In The Power of God: Saints: Long for Exhibitions Thirst: Figurative of the Ardent Desire of the Devout Mind Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To