O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
The words “my soul” form a kind of framework for the psalm, appearing in verses 1, 5 and 8. (If you read the New Living Translation, “my soul” only appears the first verse.) This doesn’t exactly match the divisions most Bibles have, but that’s okay.
Let’s start off by defining “my soul.” My soul is my true, total self. It is everything I am. More significantly, it is the part of me that will live on forever. David then explains some key facts about our souls.
1. My soul has a critical need.
In verse 1, David says I have a deep need for God. Like thirst, it is a need I notice after a very short time. It is a need that must be met regularly, and it cannot be met by anything else around me. God alone can satisfy this.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
Psalm 63:5
2. God more than meets my soul’s needs.
This is satisfied in the old sense. It is full, satiated. God goes far beyond just meeting my needs. He pours out the good stuff, the best stuff. Like Thanksgiving and hot fudge sundaes with sprinkles. Abundance. Not just sustenance. God doesn’t skimp. He’s not on a budget and He’s not stingy.
It’s not just physical requirements of food, clothing and shelter that He meets in His care for us. God meets us, meets me, at the point of my soul’s greatest needs– love, mercy, grace, acceptance.
My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8
3. My soul is in close relationship with the God of the universe.
What other response is there? Especially in view of what He’s done, what other action could I take besides following close behind God? There is a sense of my soul being stuck like glue to God. We can’t or don’t make a move without Him. The fascinating thing is it’s the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:24 when God joins Adam and Eve. It’s not a matter of us trying our best to keep up with God. It’s much better. We are joined in intimate fellowship with Him.
We have a need only God can meet, but He doesn’t stop there. He connects us to Himself. Small wonder a thread of joy and praise runs through this psalm as well. Good study should always produce the same results, joy and praise.
What have you learned lately that produced joy and praise in you?