The setting of Psalm 63 is a familiar one: people are seeking to destroy David's life (v.9) and he has fled to the wilderness for safety. In this dry and barren land, David compares his thirst for water to his longing for God (v.1).
O Lord, few of us know what it is like not just to thirst, but to thirst in a water-less wasteland where our life is on the line. David, however, faced such an extreme, teaching him just how valuable a commodity water truly is. And as he reflected upon how water had the power to refresh him, delight him, yes, even to sustain him, his reflections took him back to you. Even more than water, you, O Lord, give us life and sustain us. Even more than water, you refresh us and bring us joy.
David reflects not only on thirst, but also on his hunger, and sings: You, O Lord, are like (but are even better than) a fabulous feast (v.5). He reflects also on his longing to sleep in his own bed and not in the wilderness, in safety and not on the run. He sings: You, O Lord, are like (but are even better than) a peaceful night's rest (v.6).
O Lord, food and water, sleep and safety, all help sustain us, but you are our true sustenance. You bring more joy to our hearts than a holiday feast. You bring more peace to our lives than an amazing night of sleep. We need you more than we need water. We can't go without water for more than a few days, but without you we would not be alive at all. Without you, our life would be empty of meaning, joy, and love. David declared: "Your love is better than life" (v.3). We agree and declare for ourselves: You, O Lord, are our everything! May we praise your name forever! Amen.
