◄ Psalm 63:4 ►
So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands.
Study Bible
So I will bless You as long as I live; at Your name I will lift my hands
So I will bless You
The phrase "So I will bless You" reflects a deep commitment to worship and honor God. The Hebrew word for "bless" is "barak," which means to kneel or to praise. This act of blessing God is not merely a verbal expression but an attitude of reverence and submission. In the historical context of ancient Israel, blessing God was a central part of worship, acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness. The psalmist's declaration is a personal vow to continually honor God, recognizing His worthiness of praise.

as long as I live
The phrase "as long as I live" emphasizes the psalmist's lifelong dedication to worship. This commitment is not temporary or conditional but extends throughout the entirety of the psalmist's life. In the Hebrew culture, life was seen as a gift from God, and thus, dedicating one's life to blessing God was a natural response of gratitude. This phrase also implies a sense of perseverance and steadfastness in faith, regardless of life's circumstances.

at Your name
The phrase "at Your name" signifies the power and holiness associated with God's name. In Hebrew tradition, a name was more than a label; it represented the character and essence of a person. God's name, often represented as Yahweh, is a revelation of His divine nature and attributes. The psalmist's focus on God's name underscores the importance of recognizing and honoring God's identity and authority. This reverence for God's name is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the sacredness and majesty of God.

I will lift my hands
The act of lifting hands is a physical expression of worship and surrender. In ancient Israel, lifting hands was a common gesture in prayer and praise, symbolizing openness, receptivity, and a desire for connection with God. This gesture is an outward demonstration of an inward posture of humility and devotion. The psalmist's commitment to lift hands at God's name reflects a wholehearted engagement in worship, acknowledging God's greatness and seeking His presence. This practice continues in many Christian traditions today, serving as a reminder of the importance of both physical and spiritual expressions of faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 63, traditionally believed to be King David, who wrote this psalm during a time of distress, possibly while in the wilderness of Judah.

2. Wilderness of Judah
A barren and desolate region where David sought refuge, symbolizing a place of both physical and spiritual longing.

3. God
The central focus of David's worship and devotion, whom he seeks earnestly even in times of hardship.
Teaching Points
The Act of Blessing God
Blessing God is an expression of gratitude and reverence. It is a conscious decision to honor Him with our words and actions, regardless of our circumstances.

Lifting Hands as Worship
The physical act of lifting hands is a biblical expression of surrender, praise, and supplication. It symbolizes an open heart and a willingness to receive from God.

Lifelong Commitment to Worship
David's declaration to bless God "as long as I live" challenges believers to maintain a lifelong commitment to worship, recognizing that our relationship with God is not confined to specific moments but is a continuous journey.

The Power of God's Name
Invoking God's name in worship signifies trust in His character and promises. It is a reminder of His faithfulness and power in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of David being in the wilderness enhance our understanding of his commitment to bless God in Psalm 63:4?

2. In what ways can the act of lifting hands in worship deepen your personal prayer life and relationship with God?

3. How does the concept of blessing God "as long as I live" challenge you to evaluate your own commitment to worship and devotion?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence or intervention through an act of worship. How did it impact your faith journey?

5. How can the practice of invoking God's name in your daily life serve as a source of strength and encouragement, especially during challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 134:2
This verse also speaks of lifting hands in the sanctuary, emphasizing the act of worship and blessing God.

1 Timothy 2:8
Paul encourages believers to lift holy hands in prayer, connecting the physical act of lifting hands with a heart posture of holiness and devotion.

Exodus 17:11
The account of Moses lifting his hands during the battle against the Amalekites, illustrating the power and significance of this gesture in seeking God's intervention and blessing.
Sermons
Sublime ThingsC. Short Psalm 63:1-8
A Wilderness CryPsalm 63:1-11
Ancient PietyJames Sutcliffe, M. A.Psalm 63:1-11
David's Desire for God's PresenceR. Glover.Psalm 63:1-11
David's Owning Of, and Application To, GodT. Horton, D. D.Psalm 63:1-11
God and the SoulCanon Liddon.Psalm 63:1-11
Passionate DevotionJ. Cranbrook.Psalm 63:1-11
Seeking GodW. W. Wythe.Psalm 63:1-11
Soul ThirstW. Forsyth Psalm 63:1-11
Soul-ThirstA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 63:1-11
The Christian's LongingR. J. Rowton, M. A.Psalm 63:1-11
The Greatest Things of the SoulHomilistPsalm 63:1-11
The Paramount NeedEdwin Hatch, D. D.Psalm 63:1-11
The Saint Claiming God as His GodA. Shanks.Psalm 63:1-11
The Saint Resolving to Seek His GodA. Shanks.Psalm 63:1-11
The Saint Thirsting for GodA. Shanks.Psalm 63:1-11
The Soul's Thirst and SatisfactionA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 63:1-11
David Blessing God and Praying to HimT. Horton, D. D.Psalm 63:4-7
Praising God While We CanPsalm 63:4-7
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bless, Blessing, Hands, Lift, Lifting, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 63:4

     1670   symbols
     5865   gestures
     8620   prayer, practicalities
     8650   hands, lifting up

Psalm 63:1-5

     5939   satisfaction

Psalm 63:1-8

     5832   desire
     8618   prayerfulness

Psalm 63:2-5

     8632   adoration

Psalm 63:3-4

     8660   magnifying God

Library
Thirst and Satisfaction
'My soul thirsteth for Thee.... 5. My soul shall be satisfied.... 8. My soul followeth hard after Thee.'--PSALM lxiii. 1, 5, 8. It is a wise advice which bids us regard rather what is said than who says it, and there are few regions in which the counsel is more salutary than at present in the study of the Old Testament, and especially the Psalms. This authorship has become a burning question which is only too apt to shut out far more important things. Whoever poured out this sweet meditation in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a Fellow-Labourer --The Work in Ratcliff Highway --Strangers' Rest for Sailors --"Welcome Home" --"Bridge of Hope" --Miss
"They helped every one his neighbour"--Miss Child, a fellow-labourer --The work in Ratcliff Highway--Strangers' Rest for Sailors--"Welcome Home"--"Bridge of Hope"--Miss Macpherson's twenty-first voyage to Canada--Explosion on board the "Sardinian"--Child life in the Galt Home--The Galt Home now devoted to children from London, Knowlton to those from Liverpool, and Marchmont to Scottish Emigrants. "They helped every one his neighbour, and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage" (margin, …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

Whether Oaths are Desirable and to be Used Frequently as Something Useful and Good?
Objection 1: It would seem that oaths are desirable and to be used frequently as something useful and good. Just as a vow is an act of religion, so is an oath. Now it is commendable and more meritorious to do a thing by vow, because a vow is an act of religion, as stated above ([3078]Q[88], A[5]). Therefore for the same reason, to do or say a thing with an oath is more commendable, and consequently oaths are desirable as being good essentially. Objection 2: Further, Jerome, commenting on Mat. 5:34, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Out of the Deep of Death.
My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death has fallen upon me.--Ps. iv. 4. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart.--Ps. lxiii. 25. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.--Ps. xxiii. 4. Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.--Ps. cxvi. 8. What will become of us after we die? What will the next world be like? What is heaven like? Shall I be able …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Joint Heirs and their Divine Portion
I would invite you, my brethren in Christ Jesus, this morning, to do three things; first, let us consider the terms of the will--"joint heirs with Christ;" secondly, let us go forth and view the estates--what it is of which we are joint heirs; and when we have done so, let us proceed at once to administer, for God hath made his children administrators as web as heirs. I. First, then, there is A LEGAL TERM IN THE WILL UPON WHICH THE WHOLE MATTER WILL HINGE. We are called "joint heirs with Christ"--what …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

By all Things' is Meant the Redemptive Attributes and Power of Christ.
Thus, then, we may understand all things to have been delivered to the Saviour, and, if it be necessary to follow up understanding by explanation, that hath been delivered unto Him which He did not previously possess. For He was not man previously, but became man for the sake of saving man. And the Word was not in the beginning flesh, but has been made flesh subsequently (cf. Joh. i. 1 sqq.), in which Flesh, as the Apostle says, He reconciled the enmity which was against us (Col. i. 20, ii. 14, Eph. …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

The Secret Walk with God (ii).
He that would to others give Let him take from Jesus still; They who deepest in Him live Flow furthest at His will. I resume the rich subject of Secret Devotion, Secret Communion with God. Not that I wish to enter in detail on either the theory or the practice of prayer in secret; as I have attempted to do already in a little book which I may venture here to mention, Secret Prayer. My aim at present, as I talk to my younger Brethren in the Ministry, is far rather to lay all possible stress on …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Marks of the New Birth
"So is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:8. 1. How is every one that is "born of the Spirit," -- that is, born again, -- born of God? What is meant by the being born again, the being born of God, or being born of the Spirit? What is implied in the being a son or a child of God, or having the Spirit of adoption? That these privileges, by the free mercy of God, are ordinarily annexed to baptism (which is thence termed by our Lord in a preceding verse, the being "born of water and of the …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Psalm 63:4 NIV
Psalm 63:4 NLT
Psalm 63:4 ESV
Psalm 63:4 NASB
Psalm 63:4 KJV

Psalm 63:4 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Psalm 63:3
Top of Page
Top of Page