Psalms 63

1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the desert of Idumea. O God, my God: to you, I keep vigil until first light. For you, my soul has thirsted, to you my body, in so many ways.

A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, my God, you, you do I seek: my heart thirsts for you, my body faints for you in a parched and waterless land.

2 By a deserted land, both inaccessible and waterless, so I have appeared in the sanctuary before you, in order to behold your virtue and your glory.

As I in the temple have seen you, beholding your power and your glory,

3 For your mercy is better than life itself. It is you my lips will praise.

for better than life is your kindness: my lips shall utter your praise.

4 So will I bless you in my life, and I will lift up my hands in your name.

So, while I live, I will bless you, and lift up my hands in your name.

5 Let my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will give praise with exultant lips.

As with marrow and fat am I feasted; with joyful lips I will praise you.

6 When I have remembered you on my bed in the morning, I will meditate on you.

I call you to mind on my bed, and muse on you in the night watches;

7 For you have been my helper. And I will exult under the cover of your wings.

for you have been my help, I joyfully sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul has clung close to you. Your right hand has supported me.

I cling close after you, your right hand holds me up.

9 Truly, these ones have sought my soul in vain. They will enter into the lower parts of the earth.

But those who seek after my life shall go down to the depths of the earth,

10 They will be delivered into the hand of the sword. They will be the portions of foxes.

given o’er to the power of the sword, or as prey for jackals to devour.

11 Truly, the king will rejoice in God: all those who swear by him will be praised, because the mouth of those who speak iniquity has been blocked.

But the king shall rejoice in God: all who own his allegiance will glory. For the mouth of the false shall be stopped.