Salmos 63
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 63
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Surprisingly this Psalm has no IMPERATIVES, JUSSIVES, or COHORTATIVES. This Psalm does not admonish others but describes a personal search for a deep, personal relationship with God (cf. Ps. 42:1-4). Like so many Psalms there is an aspect of tension with enemies (cf. Ps. 63:9-11). Because of Ps. 63:11, this reflects the thoughts of the King, so they may be foreigners faithless Israelites Psalm 63:11a does not automatically make this a royal Psalm; see note at Ps. 63:9-11 for options.
Salmos 63:1-5
63:1-5 In this strophe the psalmist describes how he feels about God (Ps. 63:1, Elohim and El, see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A., C.). he seeks Him earnestly (lit. "look early") – BDB 1007, KB 1465, Piel IMPERFECT (cf. Ps. 78:34; Prov. 7:15; 8:17; Isa. 26:9; Hosea 5:15); the same root is the NOUN form for "dawn" (cf. Ps. 57:8) his soul (lit. nephesh, BDB 659) thirsts for God – BDB 854, KB 1032, Qal PERFECT, cf. Ps. 42:2; 84:2; Matt. 5:6; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH his flesh (BDB 142) yearns (lit. "faints") for God – BDB 484, KB 480, Qal PERFECT; only here in the OT; from Arabic root "to be pale of face" he describes his thirsting and fainting as caused by being in a dry and weary land where there is no water (cf. Ps. 143:6); God is often described as the source of "living water" (cf. Isa. 12:3; 44:3; 55:1; Jer. 2:13; 17:13; John 4:10; 7:37-38; Rev. 21:6; 22:17) This intense search for God in a dry land is caused because of the refreshing joy he knew earlier in the worship in the temple (Ps. 63:2). beheld God in the sanctuary (lit. "in holiness," cf. Ps. 60:6; 89:35; 102:19) – BDB 302, KB 301, Qal PERFECT; this word can mean sanctuary but does not necessarily mean that; I do not think this line of the poem mandates a person in exile; AB (p. 97) even suggests "heavenly sanctuary" in Ps. 63:2 and "eternal life" in Ps. 63:4 see His power – BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Ps. 59:17; 62:11 His glory – BDB VERB above assumed (a double OBJECT); see SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT, kabod) Exactly how the power and glory were manifested is not stated but since the word "glory" is used of the Shekinah glory (i.e., cloud) during the wilderness wanderings (cf. Exod. 16:7,10; 24:16,17; 40:34,35; Lev. 9:6,23; Num. 14:10; 16:19; 20:6; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH), possibly something like 1 Kgs. 8:11 occurred again (the other option is a vision of God Himself, like Isaiah 6 or Ezekiel 1; 10). 63:3-5 These verses describe how the psalmist praises God because of His lovingkindness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed) is better than life. his lips will praise God – BDB 986 II, KB 1387, Piel IMPERFECT he will bless God as long as he lives – BDB 138, KB 159, Piel IMPERFECT he will lift up his hands – BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERFECT his soul is satisfied – BDB 959, KB 1302, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 36:8 his mouth offers praises with joyful lips – BDB 237 II, KB 248, Piel IMPERFECT 63:4 "lift up hands" This gesture has several connotations. an act of blessing after a sacrifice by a priest ‒ Lev. 9:22 (i.e., some sacrifices were lifted up to YHWH) an act on the part of a worshiper after a sacrifice of incense ‒ Ps. 141:2 a gesture toward the sanctuary ‒ Ps. 134:2 a posture of prayer, hands raised cf. Exod. 9:29 (Moses) 1 Kgs. 8:22 (Solomon) Lam. 2:19; 3:41 (Israel) Ps. 44:20 (idolatry) Luke 24:50 (Jesus) 1 Tim. 2:8 (believers) a posture for praise, adoration, or public confession ‒ Ps. 63:4 a way to show YHWH's power as His staff was lifted up in Moses' hands (cf. Exod. 17:8-12) Here it is meant to symbolize a clean life (cf. 1 Tim. 2:8), open to God and a life that recognizes its need to receive from God (see negative usage in Ps. 44:20). ▣ "in Your name" See SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH.
Salmos 63:6-8
63:6-8 This strophe continues the psalmist's reflection of God's goodness and care. he remembers God as he sleeps – BDB 269, KB 269, Qal PERFECT, cf. Deut. 6:6-9; Ps. 119:15,48,97,99 he meditates on God at night – BDB 211 I, KB 237, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 4:4 God has been his help (BDB 740 I) – BDB 224, KB 243, Qal PERFECT, cf. Ps. 27:9 he is protected (in the shadow of God's wings) and sings for joy – BDB 943, KB 1247; Piel IMPERFECT he (lit. nephesh) clings to God – BDB 179, KB 209, Qal PERFECT, cf. Gen. 2:24; Ruth 1:14; 2 Kgs. 18:6; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH God's right hand upholds him – BDB 1069, KB 1751, Qal PERFECT, cf. Ps. 18:35; 41:12 Notice how #5 and #6 reflect both sides of the covenant relationship. It invokes choices and actions by both God and human. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGAUGE TO DESCRIBE GOD 63:7 "in the shadow of Your wings" See note at Ps. 17:8 and SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW AS A METAPHOR FOR PROTECTION AND CARE. 63:8 NASB, NJB, NRSV, TEV "clings" NKJV, REB "follows close behind" "is attached" "clung" "follows hard after" "pursues" This VERB (BDB 179, KB 209, Qal PERFECT is used in several senses (here are the relevant ones). intimate fellowship, Gen. 2:24; 34:3; ADJECTIVE in Deut. 4:4 (with God) a command from God, Deut. 10:20; 11:22; 13:4 cling to God's word, Ps. 119:31 pursue someone closely, Jdg. 20:45; 1 Sam. 14:22; 1 Chr. 10:2; Jer. 42:16 (NET Bible) ▣ "right hand" See note at Ps. 18:35 and SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND.
Salmos 63:9-11
63:9-11 As happens often in the Psalms, a strophe is addressed to the psalmist's enemies. In this one "the king" is specifically mentioned. This could mean the king is the psalmist the psalmist is addressing problems the king faced and expresses how he knows the king would feel (cf. Ps. 63:11a) it is a literary technique to link individual Psalms to corporate Psalms (cf. Ps. 63:11b) These are statements about the enemies (i.e., those who seek his life to destroy it and, thereby Israel). they will go into the depths of the earth (i.e., the Pit, Sheol, the grave, see SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?, I. B. and II. B.). In the OT all humans go to Sheol, as all humans go to Hades in the NT to wait judgment day. It is possible that "the lowest part" represented the abode of the faithless follower and pagan. they will be poured out to the power of the sword – BDB 620, KB 669, Hiphil IMPERFECT they will be prey for foxes (i.e., no proper burial) the mouth of those who speak lies will be stopped – BDB 698, KB 55, Niphal IMPERFECT Because of this the king will rejoice in God – BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT everyone who swears by Him (BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal PARTICIPLE) will glory – BDB 237, KB 248, Hithpael IMPERFECT, cf. Isa. 48:1; 65:16 Right and truth and faith will prevail in the end because of the character and purposes of our God! 63:11 "will be stopped" This VERB (BDB 698 I, KB 755, Niphal IMPERFECT is a rare word used only three times in the OT. stop liars from speaking ‒ here stop or dam up the waters of the flood ‒ Gen. 8:2 imagery for delivering Egypt into the hands of her enemies (Piel, KB 755 II) ‒ Isa. 19:4