Purpose: To challenge each listener regarding their longing for God
Introduction: This psalm is found in the second book of Psalms (42-72), which emphasize both the troubles and security of God's people. It also uses God's name Elohim more frequently than Yahweh. It builds on the theme of trust in Psalms 61-62. This is a psalm that is characterized by longing. We find David in the wilderness of Judah, which explains his desert illustrations throughout the psalm. This is probably related to 1st Samuel 23 (from Saul) or 2nd Samuel 15 (from Absalom). Some refer to this as a morning psalm (cf. 63:1 "early")
1) David's longing for God—63:1-5 a) David's commitment to a personal God—63:1a b) David's intense desire for God while isolated in the desert—63:1b c) David remembers His view of God's glory cloud in Jerusalem—63:2 d) David praises God—63:3 e) David's passionate conclusion about God—63:4 f) David's ongoing contentment marked by 2 things—63:5
2) David's longing for God restated—63:6-8 a) David's thought life—63:6-7 b) David's determination—63:8 c) David's enemies will be destroyed as God helps (cf. 63:7)—63:9-10 d) David's contrasting future—63:11
3) Summary and application a) "Meditation on the person and works of God can bring refreshment and invigoration to any believer. Meditation on God fills a basic need in the heart of every person, as basic a need as food and drink. It not only satisfies the believer but overflows in praise, making him or her a blessing to others." (Constable) b) There is Someone more important that what simply gives us physical satisfaction. i) Cf. martyrs in both OT and NT c) Do we have this kind of appetite for God?
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By God's amazing grace alone, Phil was drawn to salvation in Jesus Christ as a college freshman. He began his pastoral ministry as an assistant pastor (working specifically with youth and music) in 1983 while in seminary. He became the senior pastor here at Calvary in December...
