Psalms 63
What Happens in This Chapter
In this song, David is in a dry desert and misses being close to God. He says God's love is better than life itself. He thinks about God at night and feels safe, like a bird under strong wings. At the end he says people who want to kill him will not win, but the king will be glad.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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;
1God, you are my God. I look for you early in the morning. I want you the way a thirsty person wants water. My whole body misses you. I am in a dry land with no water at all.
"Early will I seek thee" means looking for God right away, first thing.
2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
2I have seen you in your holy tent, where people come to worship. There I saw how strong you are. There I saw how great you are.
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
3Your steady love is better than life itself. So my lips will say good things about you.
4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
4I will thank you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands and say your name.
5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
5I will feel full and happy, like after the very best meal. My mouth will praise you with glad lips.
The old words say "marrow and fatness." Long ago, the fattest, richest food was the best food anyone could eat.
6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
6I think of you when I lie down on my bed. I think about you all through the night.
7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
7You have helped me before. So I sing for joy, safe under your wings.
"The shadow of thy wings" is a picture. Baby birds hide under a parent bird's wings and stay safe.
8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
8I stay close to you and hold on tight. Your strong right hand holds me up.
9But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
9Some people are hunting me. They want to kill me. But they will go down into the grave.
10They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
10They will be killed in battle by the sword. Wild animals will feed on their bodies.
The old word is "foxes." It means wild animals like foxes or jackals that eat dead bodies left on the ground.
11But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
11But the king will be glad because of God. Everyone who makes promises in God's name will be happy. But people who tell lies will be made quiet.
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