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

As a Christian, one of the most profound truths we can hold onto is that God is always with us, no matter what we are facing or where we are. This truth is perfectly exemplified in Psalm 63, a wilderness hymn composed by King David while he was fleeing from his son Absalom. In this psalm, David expresses his deep longing for God, despite the trials and difficulties he was facing in the wilderness. 

This psalm holds a powerful message of hope, faith, and devotion, and in this article, we will delve into its meaning and significance, exploring the rich and beautiful language and symbolism that underlies this beloved scripture. 

A Little Background

David wrote this psalm while in the wilderness of Judah. The references to a “dry and thirsty land” and “jackals” all point to a wilderness experience (Psalm 63:1, 10). David was in the wilderness at the time, fleeing his son Absalom.  Psalm 63:11, in which David sings, “But the king will rejoice in God,” is evidence that he wrote this psalm while still a king.  Thus, David found himself in a hostile environment, but rather than dwell on his circumstances, he chose to praise God for His goodness.

Count Your Blessings 

In this wilderness hymn, David recounts his love and devotion to God, even in the midst of great adversity.  He describes his intense thirst for God as coming from every fiber of his soul and uses vivid language to convey the intensity of that desire. Instead of focusing on the perils and difficulties of the wilderness, David recounts the goodness of the Lord in Psalm 63:2-10. He focuses on God’s goodness rather than those who sought his life.

Meaning and Message

Early Will I Seek You

The language in Psalm 63:1,6 suggests that it was at night time when these words were penned. David is eagerly awaiting the break of day to worship God. Despite the dangers around him, David’s love for God shines through in the darkness.  He is eager to consecrate the morning to God and continue to seek Him. He longs for daybreak not only for the light and safety it will bring, but also for the opportunity to draw closer to God.

You are My God

In Psalm 63:1, David declares his allegiance to God saying, “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.” This proclamation also conveys faith in and submission to God. It takes firm faith for one to claim God as his own. Such a declaration is a product of one’s close communion with God. It is a product of a union with God, just as Christ declared on the cross, “My God, My God.” The Hebrew translation of this phrase strongly emphasizes strength and power. This is not the last time David declares his allegiance to God Psalm 118:28 records:

You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. (Psalm 118:28 NKJV)

My Soul Thirsts For You

In Psalm 63:1, David expresses his longing for God as thirst. Thirst is an insatiable desire. You can’t put off thirst, and you can’t ignore thirst because the whole physique yields to its power. The word “thirst” is used here to describe David’s relentless desire for God. It is a thirst that cannot be ignored or postponed. David is expressing his thirst for God with every fiber of his being.

My Flesh Longs for You

The phrase “my flesh,” which can also be translated as “my body,” represents the whole being. The psalmist is declaring that he seeks God with every fiber of his being.

In a Dry Thirsty Land

The wilderness of Judah was and still is parched and thirsty. It was uninhabitable land where flocks of sheep and goats grazed. The idea here is that this was a hopeless place.

Turning our Wilderness into a Place of Worship

David’s love for God was so strong that it overshadowed the fear and danger he was facing. He chose to worship God even more, turning his wilderness into a place of praise. We, too, can follow David’s example and worship God in the midst of our own trials. Our love for God should override any fears or obstacles we may face. The absence of public worship should not deter us from praying and seeking God, even in the wilderness.

Life Application

Like David, we too are on a journey through our own wilderness. We are weary and fearful. We thirst for many things in this dry and thirsty land. We thirst for money, prestige, influence, and power. But none of these things can quench our thirst. Only God can give our longing hearts true and lasting satisfaction.

When David was fleeing and wandering in a “dry and thirsty land,” he turned to God for help.  We may also be wandering through a “dry and thirsty land” in our jobs, marriages, relationships, health, and spiritual lives. Like David, we have the option to choose to concentrate on God’s goodness in our lives rather than the difficulties and obstacles we encounter.  When we turn to God, He gives us the courage to face every challenge and to turn our wildernesses into places of worship and praise.

It is also worth noting that, despite being far from the temple and unable to participate in public worship, David continued to communicate with God.  He found comfort and peace in his personal relationship with the Lord and worshiped Him in the wilderness. This is a reminder to all of us that we can always have a personal relationship with God and commune with Him in prayer, regardless of our circumstances.

David consecrated his mornings to God. We, too, can set aside some time in the morning for Bible study and prayer. We may be troubled on the outside, but we are at peace on the inside. We may be alone in the wilderness, but we are very much present in God’s presence. David’s trials pushed him to greater devotion, consecration, and praises to God. Our trials can also spur us on to greater devotion.

We, like David, are on a journey through our own wilderness.  We all face difficulties and challenges in our lives, but it is critical that we focus on God’s goodness rather than our current problems. We yearn for many things in this world, but only God can give us true and lasting contentment.  We can follow in David’s footsteps by thirsting for God with our whole being, consecrating our mornings to Him, and worshiping Him in the midst of adversity.

Taken Together

Psalm 63:1 is a beautiful reminder of the power of God’s love and the importance of seeking Him, even in the midst of adversity. We, too, can turn to God, find comfort in His presence, and worship Him in the wilderness of our lives, as David did. We can draw inspiration from David’s example and turn our own struggles into opportunities to worship and praise God. So, whenever you find yourself in a dry and thirsty land, thirst for God and focus on His goodness, for He will restore you and bring peace to your soul. May we thirst for God with our whole being and find comfort and peace in His presence, no matter where life takes us.