Scripture: Psalm 63

Aim: To assure the believer that trusting in God brings comfort and personal assurance.

Golden Text: “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me” (Psalm 63:8).

David’s son Absalom has rebelled against David causing him to flee from Jerusalem. While in exile from his beloved country and the throne of Israel, David wrote Psalm 63. This Psalm reveals the comfort and assurance he derives from knowing God. It is good instruction for us today.

I. David declares his relationship with God (vs. 1). “O GOD (capital GOD = Jehovah God), thou art my God. David had a personal relationship with God, through faith in Him.

We today have more light regarding God and His salvation than David had or understood. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of the believer. He and the Heavenly Father have prepared an eternal relationship, which is available to all who will repent and believe on Christ. This relationship is necessary for one to have Christ as Savior and the Heavenly Father as his own Savior and God. Nothing less will suffice. This relationship comes only by faith in Christ.

II. David is determined to seek God regardless of his personal plight (vs. 1). He declares that he will “seek” the Lord early in the day. That is very good. A person ought to begin his day with a fresh awareness of the Lord’s presence. It has aptly been said, “One ought to begin his day with God and close it with God after having walked with God all day. Thus he will be blessed.”

David had a thirst after God (vs. 1). His desire for God was like the thirst of a weary traveler needing and wanting a drink of water. His desire for God was complete. His very flesh—his being—longed after God regardless of the dire condition of the body while in exile.

III. David longed to see the power and glory of God (vs. 2). David had seen the power and glory of God many times on the battlefield. He had seen it in the Tabernacle while at his worship of Jehovah. He had seen and known the workings of the Lord in his life over many years. He is now longing to see God at work in his situation with his son of rebellion, Absalom. It is one thing to know God in worship. It is quiet another to know Him in the work place and in relationships with others. It is important that one see and know that God is at work in all of life and relationships.

IV. David is determined to praise God, even in the difficult times (vs. 3-6). He praises God for His “loving kindness.” He considers that it is better than all the rest of life. To have God’s love and kindness is all one truly needs. Trusting God with all the heart assures the believer that all the needs of life will be supplied. In the end, it is God we need more than anything else.

David determines to praise God with his hands (vs. 4, what he does), and with his mouth (vs. 5, what he says). He determines to remember the Lord day and night. In the good and bad times. He declares that he will mediate upon the Lord in the “night watches.” That is when everything is quiet and he is alone with God. Thinking on God and His blessings develops strength for the life.

V. David determined that he would rest securely in the “shadow” of God’s care (vs. 7-8). God is the believer’s hiding place from all sorts of evil and turmoil. In God one may rest securely. As one follows close to God, He will uphold him with His right hand (the hand of blessing, vs. 8).

As a result, the enemy will be defeated (vs. 9-10). But those who trust in God shall be able to rejoice in Him and shall be victorious over evil and evil men (vs. 11). The wicked shall be stopped in God’s time and at God’s place. His people need only to “trust and obey” Him.