March 5, 2006
Psalm 63
Sean Blomquist, Shelter (Concord)
Read the passage and respond to these questions:
1. David makes some comparisons in this psalm. What is of greatest value?
2. What do you find “gritty” and “gutsy” about David’s psalm? What is the attitude behind these statements?
The Psalms are real prayers of real experiences of God’s people throughout history. Psalm 63 is a gutsy, gritty, prayer from David who is in the desert. It’s gutsy because it is a prayer from his very inner most being. It is a prayer from his soul. It is gritty because it is earthy. David is thirsty; he is aching, tired, hungry and fed up with his season in the desert. Have you ever been in that place where you’re done with the dry season of your faith?
You have seen and experienced the power and goodness of Jesus in your life, it is undeniable— but it is past tense. This part of David’s journey is the opposite of what he had tasted in the past. David expresses something that paints a picture of a real relationship with Yahweh.
Beyond David’s desert, beyond his enemies, beyond his circumstances, he finds that deep place in his soul, that with utter confidence and guts, he can pray, “Lord, your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you and remember you, my soul clings to you.” David never flinches from his faith, but in the gutsy, gritty, earthy realness of life, he draws from the well of his soul and sings a prayer of the reality of who Yahweh is to him. Yahweh is his God and nothing will quench his deepest longings, but God alone.
prayer
Lord, help me to be honest with you about my need and confident in your presence.