Psalms 63:7 - Meaning and Application

David has already spoken of his desire for God and his praise of him. Now he speaks of his confidence in God and the joyful hope he has in him. “In the shadow of your wings I will rejoice” points either to the wings of the cherubim stretched over the ark of the covenant, where God was said to dwell, or to a mother bird sheltering her young. The first image stresses God’s holy presence, covenant, and word. The second shows his power and tenderness, like an eagle protecting its young (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11) and like a hen gathering her chicks (Matthew 23:37).

This is a familiar picture in the Psalms (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 91:4). It also appears when Ruth, after turning to the God of Israel, trusted under his wings (Ruth 2:12). It is our duty to rejoice in the shadow of God’s wings. That means coming to him by faith and prayer as naturally as frightened chicks run under the hen’s wings. It also means resting in him, trusting that he is able and ready to help, and finding refreshment in his care and protection. Once we have given ourselves to God, we should be calm, glad, and free from fear.

David’s confidence had strong supports. One was his past experience of God’s help. “Because you have been my help,” he says, “I will still rejoice in your salvation.” When all other help failed, God had helped him. Indeed, God was not only his helper, but his help, because no creature could have helped him except by God’s hand. Here he can set up his Ebenezer, a memorial that says, “So far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). That kind of memory should keep us from leaving God, distrusting him, or growing cold in our walk with him.

Another support was his present sense of God’s grace at work in him. “My soul follows hard after you” shows a deep desire and a serious effort to keep close to God. If we cannot always hold God in our arms, we must still keep him in view, reaching toward him as our prize (Philippians 3:14). To press hard after God is to follow him closely, as if afraid of losing sight of him, and quickly, as if longing to be with him. David did this, and he gives God the glory: “Your right hand upholds me.” God upheld him under suffering so he would not sink. He also upheld him in worship so he would not grow weary in doing good. All who follow hard after God would soon fail if God’s right hand did not support them. It is God’s power that keeps us from falling, strengthens our pursuit of him, stirs up our good desires, and comforts us while we still wait to reach what we are seeking.

David also looked ahead with confidence. He saw that his enemies would be destroyed (Psalm 63:9-10). These were people who sought not only his life, but his soul. They tried to keep him from God’s worship, which feeds and strengthens the soul, and to lead him toward false gods, which would poison it (1 Samuel 26:19). He says they will go down to the lower parts of the earth, meaning the grave and hell. Their hatred of David would bring them ruin and final judgment. He also says they will fall by the sword, whether by God’s judgment or by human hands (Job 19:28-29). This was later seen in Saul, who fell by the sword. David foretold such a fate, yet he would not carry it out himself when he had the chance. Our rule is what God commands, not simply what he predicts.

He adds that they will become a portion for foxes, meaning their bodies may be left for wild animals, or their homes and estates may become desolate, fit only for wild creatures (Isaiah 34:14). This is a picture of the end of all who oppose Christ’s kingdom and work in the world. “Bring them here and kill them in my presence” shows the final judgment of Christ’s enemies (Luke 19:27).

David also triumphs in hope that he himself will gain the throne to which he had been anointed (Psalm 63:11). “The king shall rejoice in God.” He calls himself the king because he knew this was God’s purpose for him. In that same faith, Paul could call himself more than a conqueror while still in the fight (Romans 8:37). Believers are made kings, even though they will not fully rule until the morning of the resurrection. David does not doubt that, though he now sows in tears, he will reap in joy. And he is resolved that God will be the source and end of all his joy, so that “the king shall rejoice in God.”

This also points forward to the glory and joy of the risen Redeemer. The Messiah, the promised Prince, shall rejoice in God. He has already entered the joy set before him, and his glory will be fully completed at his second coming. David’s advancement would have two good effects. First, it would comfort his friends. Everyone who swears allegiance to him, or who sincerely calls on God’s name and belongs to God’s people, will glory in his success. Those who fear God will be glad to see David raised up. In the same way, all who truly side with Christ will rejoice when his cause wins at last. If we suffer with him, we will also reign with him.

Second, David’s rise would silence his enemies. The mouths of those who lied about him, such as Saul, Doeg, and others who mocked and misrepresented him, would be shut. They would have nothing left to say against him. They would be silenced forever and put to shame.

Apply this to Christ’s enemies, and to those who speak lies to him, as all hypocrites do. They tell him they love him, while their hearts are far from him. His word will stop their mouths: “I do not know you” (Matthew 22:12). They will be speechless forever.

The mouths of those who speak lies against him will also be stopped. This includes those who twist the right ways of the Lord and speak badly about his holy religion. That day will come when the Lord returns to judge all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Christ’s second coming will be the lasting victory of all his faithful friends and followers. For that reason, they can already rejoice now in the hope of it.