Psalms 63:3
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”
Psalms 63:3 in 8 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.
- DARBYDarby
- For thy loving-kindness is better than life: my lips shall praise thee.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- Because better is Thy kindness than life, My lips do praise Thee.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
Context: Psalms 63
1{A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.} O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
About Psalms 63: A Thirst for God
Psalm 63 portrays the psalmist's deep longing and thirst for God. It was written during a time of great distress, possibly when David was in the wilderness of Judah, fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion. Despite his circumstances, David's focus is on his relationship with God. He speaks of his yearning for God's presence and his satisfaction in God's unfailing love.
Commentary
In Psalm 63, David reminds us that our circumstances should not define our relationship with God. No matter what we are going through, we can always turn to Him and find refuge in His presence. David speaks of thirsting for God as in a desert, where water is scarce and precious. This is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual state without God. In times of distress, we must intentionally seek and rely on God as our source of comfort, just as David did. Moreover, David reflects on his past experiences with God and remembers how God had come through for him before. This helped him to stay faithful and motivated to continue seeking God. As we read Psalm 63, we are reminded of the importance of staying connected to God through prayer and worship, even in the midst of difficult times.