Only God Satisfies are reflections from Psalm 63 to help you express yourself to God when you face tough times. David expressed his desire for God’s presence, provision, and protection because these were the needs that he had when he wrote this Psalm. Are these your needs too? Reading any Psalm will show you that God is real and that it is possible to have a personal relationship with Him like David did. The Psalms inspire the worship of God within the human heart and teach us that only God satisfies. The Psalms reveal the heartfelt, honest relationship that is available between you and God so let’s look together at Psalm 63.
The Background of Psalm 63
Before looking at Psalm 63, it is important to know what was going on in David’s life when he wrote this Psalm.
David wrote Psalm 63 when everything was falling apart in his life. David’s son, Absalom, had betrayed him by turning the hearts of his kingdom against his father. Because of the treachery of his son, David was forced to leave his kingdom, so he could save it. Read the entire story in 2 Samuel 15.
The following verses capture the enormity of the rebellion and how David felt.
Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”
But David continued up the Mount of Olives weeping as he went; his head was covered, and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. 2 Samuel 15:14, 30
David felt the grief many of us have felt when a son or daughter goes his/her own way apart from God. He was also dealing with the torment of betrayal and the loss of his home and his throne.
Reflections from Psalm 63
David had nurtured his relationship with the Lord daily, so when trouble came God was the first one he turned to. Psalm 63 reveals what a heart that is fully committed to God looks like, even in the face of adversity.
Open your Bible to Psalm 63 and follow along with me. As you read, ask yourself questions, reflect, and then ask God what He is asking you to do. This is a wonderful way to read God’s Word!
God Is My Desire
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
What does God’s Word mean? (What is the lesson or truth?) David’s strongest desire is for God. God is personal and can be known by intentionally searching for Him and talking to Him. Those who know and love God depend on Him.
What does God’s Word mean for me? (personal application) May my strongest desire be for you, Lord! Help me come to you daily with everything that concerns me.
Further reflection: Like us, David’s choice was to either focus on his trials, or look to God to satisfy his needs. Read the verse above again. When you are thirsty, you seek water to quench your thirst. When you are hungry, you look for something to eat. Where do you go to meet the deep needs and desires within your heart? David knew by experience that only God satisfies a thirsty heart.
Questions to ask yourself: Do I seek God? What keeps me from prayer each day?
Action to take: Make God a priority. Bring your needs to God instead of trying to meet them yourself.
Only God Satisfies
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:2-5
What does God’s Word mean? Nothing can compare with knowing and experiencing God’s love! God’s love is the ultimate satisfaction on earth and brings about heartfelt praise that exalts and honors God.
What does God’s Word mean for me? God, help me remember your deep love for me. When I trust you, your power accomplishes your perfect will in my life. Fill me with your Presence so my heart sings your praises!
Further reflection: Even though David was experiencing bitter and overwhelming circumstances when he wrote this verse, he knew God’s power and he is filled and satisfied with the love of God. David praised God out of a grateful heart.
Questions to ask yourself: Is God’s love better than anything else in my life? Am I experiencing God’s power? Do I praise and glorify God?
Action to take: Praise God for His unfailing love! Make prayer a priority in your life and you will have God’s power to persevere.
God Is My Delight
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8
What does God’s Word mean? Thinking about God throughout the day keeps you connected to Him. Believing in His power to help you will bring rest and songs of praise. Those who stay close to God and rely on His strength are able to stand.
What does God’s Word mean for me? Replace my anxious thoughts with thoughts of you, Lord! You are my constant companion, yet I often forget to turn to You for help. Lord, keep my mind focused on you and put a song in my heart.
Further reflection: Believing that God is your helper will help you to rely on His strength and not your own. There are many reasons that we cannot sleep, and worry is often the culprit. Our anxious thoughts consume us and cause us to toss and turn. Instead of worrying, David used this time to turn His mind to thoughts about God. He remembered how God helped him in the past, so he sang songs of God’s deliverance. David perseveres in his trial by staying connected to God. The enemy flees along with worry when we remember who God is and believe in His power to help us. Praising God sends the devil flying!
A question to ask yourself: Do I ask God for His help? Is the Word of God a priority in my life? What am I praising God for today?
Action to take: Make Bible study a priority. Give God every burden that you carry and believe in His power to help you.
God Is My Defense
Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. Psalm 63:9-10
What does God’s Word mean? Wickedness will not prevail! Almighty God will protect His people, and He will be victorious. God has power over life and death.
What does God’s Word mean for me? I can be confident in God’s protection and ultimate victory as I rely on Him. I will allow God to fight my spiritual battles. God, deliver me from those who hate me for no reason.
Further reflection: Enemies are those who oppose not only us, but God’s way of living. David understood that those who desire to live and follow God will be persecuted. He believed God’s Word when God said that all evildoers will be destroyed forever unless they repent.
A question to ask yourself: Do I believe in good and evil? Have I asked Jesus Christ to save me from sin and deliver me from evil?
Action to take: Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Ask God to fight for you against the schemes of the evil one and believe that He will.
Seek God and Rejoice!
But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in Him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced. Psalm 63:11
What does God’s Word mean? Those who are devoted and loyal to God will exalt Him and not themselves. God will silence all liars.
What does God’s Word mean for me? Rejoice in the Lord and be fully committed to Him by serving Him with my life! In a world full of lies, I can believe that liars will not prevail.
Further reflection: King David bows and exalts God above everyone and everything. King David rejoiced that God is Lord of all and his allegiance is to Him. If God’s Spirit lives in you, rejoice because you have everything you need.
A question to ask yourself: Have I bowed down to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, exalting Him above everything else in my life? Have I believed the lies of this world because I do not know the Word of God? Does my mouth speak the truth?
Action to take: Confess your sins and rejoice in the Lord! Praise God for His power and lovingkindness. Praise God that His ways are higher than your ways. Praise God that liars and all enemies of God will be silenced by Him.
Only God Satisfies
David gives testimony that we can trust God in times of trouble as we make God our source of strength. Faith comes from hearing and believing the Word of God and opens your eyes to God’s Presence. God will never leave you or forsake you, and He helps those who ask Him for help. Seek God’s Presence, Provision, and Protection, and may God give you His peace as you bring your requests to Him in prayer.
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Psalms 16:1-11; 23:1-6: 27:1-14; 28:6-9; 34:1-22; 42:1-2; 73:23-26; 104:33-35; 113:1-9; 136:1-26; Isaiah 45:22-24; 55:1-13; John 6:33-40; 7:37-39; 16:24; Romans 8:18, 26-39; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; 13:6; Revelation 22:16-17
Yes, only God can fulfill our life. And it is wonderful that nothing can separate us from Him. We could loose everything but not Him ❤️