Psalm 63:1-11 &Psalm 64:1-10
Q.1. What was the context of this Psalm? Where did David long to be? Why was he resolved to praise God anyway? What did he do when he couldn’t sleep? What would happen to his enemies? Why? – (Ps.63:1-11)
David wrote this song while being hunted in the wilderness of Judah (Ps.63.Intro c.f. 1 Sam.22:5; 23:14). He had been denied access to God’s sanctuary, so missed worshiping with God’s people. He longed to experience this fellowship with God and others again – to see Your power and Your glory (Ps.63:2). Because – You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water (Ps.63:1). Though he could not join in with the worshipers, he remembered – 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. 4 So I will bless You as long as I live … (Ps.63:3-4). Even at night David changed his focus from his problems to the Problem Solver – 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, 7 For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy (Ps.63:6-7). He believed that he would be preserved as king. He knew that those who sought his destruction would themselves be destroyed (Ps.63:9-11). It is one of the marks of a true believer, that he/she longs for fellowship with God’s people (Acts 2:42).
Q.2. What is the theme of this song? How did his enemies operate? What made his trial particularly stressful? Who did David expect would recompense his enemies? How would this impact others? – (Ps.64:1-10)
David had a real relationship with God. He could voice his fears, doubts, and complaints about his circumstances (Ps.64:1). He asked God – Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the boisterous crowd of evildoers (Ps.64:1). He went on to describe how they operated – 3 They have sharpened their tongue like a sword … they aimed bitter speech as their arrow … 4 They shoot from concealment at the blameless … they do not fear … 5 They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, “Who can see them?” 6 They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot” (Ps.64:3-6). What makes such trials so hard to bear, is that such people lay their snares in secret. They are like terrorists preying on the unsuspecting. However, David consoled himself in the knowledge that sooner or later – 7 God will shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they will be wounded. 8 So they will make him stumble; Their own tongue is against them (Ps.64:7-8). David believed that their demise would surprise people, and cause people to fear the Lord and – proclaim the works of God (Ps.64:9). He concluded his song, by calling on the righteous to rejoice in the Lord, and to take refuge in Him (Ps.64:10). The recognition of God’s sovereign rule can change the focus from dread of the enemy to peace, even when going through the storms of life.