BIBLE STUDY
You are my God
Major Philip Layton explores David’s relationship with God while under extreme pressure
PSALM 63
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HE context for this psalm is King David fleeing from Jerusalem into the Judean wilderness to escape the wrath of Absalom (see 2 Samuel 15:13 to 17:22). The psalm can be divided into two parts: in verses 1 to 8 David expresses his praise, worship, confidence and desire for God; and in verses 9 to 11 he voices a desire for justice. QUESTION l Given the context, why do you think David begins the psalm with these words: ‘You, God, are my God’ (v1)? I wonder where you would place the emphasis within that phrase: on the word ‘you’, ‘God’, ‘are’ or maybe ‘my’. I have often found a shift in emphasis can subtly change the meaning of a Bible verse and become a devotional exercise in itself.
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If David’s emphasis is on the first word, ‘you’, then perhaps he is writing the psalm out of recognition that his own strength, knowledge and resources are limited. Although David is king, perhaps his flight from danger reminds him that he is not invincible and that only God is all-mighty. QUESTIONS l Have there been ‘wilderness’ times in your life, when you have felt spiritually, emotionally or physically cut off? l To what extent has God used these times to help you focus again on his sovereignty? Maybe the emphasis should fall on the last word, ‘God’, recognising that, despite current circumstances, nothing is beyond God’s capabilities. Nothing takes God by surprise. We see in verses 2 to 8 how David yearns for God, desires him, worships him, praises and glorifies him.
Although surrounded by danger, David says he would intentionally praise, thirst after, cling to, sing to, glorify and be satisfied by God. QUESTION l How could you use this psalm as a spiritual discipline when feeling vulnerable? David could be emphasising the timing through the word ‘are’. In the past, the young shepherd David put his faith in God and defeated Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17). Now, David’s power-hungry son, Absalom, is forcing him out of Jerusalem and things are looking bleak. A change in circumstance, however, does not alter the nature of God. David makes it known that his faith in God continues to be just as strong as it has ever been. To David the hero shepherd, God was God. To David the refugee king, God is still God.
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As the deer pants for the water/ So my soul longs after you./ You alone are my heart’s desire/ And I long to worship you. (SASB 571)
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)
As the bird beneath her feathers/ Guards the objects of her care,/ So the Lord his children gathers,/ Spreads his wings, and hides us there;/ Thus protected,/ All our foes we boldly dare. (SASB 28)
Prayer
Father God, how blessed we are that you care for us and that we live in your presence. Help us each day to be mindful of your great love, which protects us and provides us with all that we need. 26/04/2021 15:54
