Verses 1-11

Title.—A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

The writer of this Ps. is a king (Psalms 63:11), who is at a distance from the sanctuary, and in danger from eager foes. If the title be correct it must refer, not to David's earlier experiences in the reign of Saul (1 Samuel 22:5), but to the time when his flight from Absalom led him through the wilderness of Judah, between Jerusalem and the Jordan (2 Samuel 15:23-28). His longing for God's presence (Psalms 63:1-2) passes into joyful confidence (Psalms 63:3-8) and certain expectation of his enemies' overthrow.

1. O God, thou art my God] the 'Elohistic' equivalent of 'O Lord, thou art my God.' Early] RM 'earnestly.'

2. RV 'So (or 'thus') have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy power and thy glory.' The sanctuary may be the temporary abode of the ark at Jerusalem. It is the memory of communion with God there which inspires the Psalmist's present longing.

4. Thus] better, 'therefore.' Lift up my hands] in prayer. In thy name] trusting in the revealed character of God.

5. Hunger is now substituted for thirst to describe the spiritual longing which God satisfies.

6. The night watches] were three hi number—the first, the middle, and the morning watches.

8. The clinging effort of the human soul and the upholding grasp of God are the two sides of the relationship of faith.

9. The lower parts of the earth] the under-world of Sheol.

10. Foxes] jackals.

11. By him] by God: see Isaiah 65:16.