Denver Seminary

Psalm 63 records David's experience in the wilderness as he fled from Absalom's pursuing army. David who ruled from a throne now was on the run. In lieu of the royal palace he had only a cave for shelter and a rock for a pillow. Hunted down like an animal, his life was at grave risk.

Instead of ruing his circumstances David reached out to the God he knew and served. Acknowledging God as his deepest desire (vv. 1-2), he cried out, "I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water" (v. 1). Most of us in similar straits would seek physical relief: for water, shelter and rest. But David longed for God as a dehydrated traveler searches for water in a desert.

David, moreover, confessed God as his supreme delight (vv. 3-8). Thus he acknowledged, "Your love is better than life" (v. 3) and "I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods" (v. 5). David recognized God and his loving kindness as his highest good. Communion with God satisfies the wildest hunger and relieves the heaviest heartache.

Still pursued by wicked men intent on killing him, David confessed God as his sure defense (vv. 9-10). He was fully persuaded that God would protect his life and deal justly with his enraged foes.

Brennan Manning summarizes the longing of the redeemed heart well. "From the first moment of our experience our most powerful yearning is to fulfill the original purpose of our lives—'to see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly and follow Him more nearly.' We are made for God, and nothing else will really satisfy us."