My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. Psa 63:8
Satisfaction in God
Satisfaction in God
The Psalmist passes from thirst to the assurance of satisfaction in God. And in these verses we see the nature of this satisfaction. He found satisfaction_
I. In the provisions of God. “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness.” The provisions of God for the spiritual needs of men are frequently represented in the Scriptures as a sumptuous feast. David looked forward confidently to the realisation of spiritual satisfaction and delight. 1. The Divine provisions are spiritual. “My soul shall be satisfied.” Satisfied with delightful experiences, exalted and blessed fellowship, ennobling occupations, enrapturing prospects. Pardon, communion with God, work for God, hope of holiness and heaven. 2. The Divine provisions are rich. “Marrow and fatness.” The provisions of the Gospel are like a “feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” Its blessings are not only useful but delightful; not only healthful, but pleasant. 3. The Divine provisions are abundant. The Psalmist was assured of satisfaction. “My soul shall be satisfied.” Whatever God gives He gives abundantly. Pardon (Psa_136:5; Psa_136:15; Psa_103:8; Isa_55:7); Redemption (Psa_130:7). Grace (2Co_9:8).
II. In meditation on God. “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.” 1. The nature of this exercise. “Remember, … meditate.” Recollection presented the doings and sayings of God, and then the mind meditated upon them, and upon Him. Meditation is not mere reverie, but musing, or fixed and continuous thought. One of the most important mental exercises, especially in relation to spiritual life and progress. And we fear that it is also a most neglected exercise. 2. The subject of this exercise. “Remember Thee, … meditate on Thee.” The grandest, most glorious subject that is possible. Meditation on God is (1) humbling, inasmuch as it reveals our feebleness, insignificance, sinfulness. (2) Spiritualising, inasmuch as it withdraws us from the material and worldly into association with the spiritual and Divine. (3) Transforming, inasmuch as we become like unto those with whom in thought and feeling we dwell (2Co_3:18). 3. The season of this exercise. “On my bed, in the night watches.” Night is favourable to meditation on God and spiritual things, (1) Because of its darkness. Material things are then hidden from our view and spiritual things appear with reality and vividness. (2) Because of its stillness. The noise and tumult of the day ill accord with meditation on spiritual and Divine themes. The quiet of the night harmonises with and aids such meditation. Great are the advantages of meditation like this.
III. In the protection of God. “Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.” 1. This protection is well assured. It is guaranteed both by God’s promise and by man’s experience. “Because Thou hast been my help, therefore. 2. This protection is perfect. “In the shadow of Thy wings.” (See the Hom. Com. on Psa_57:1.) 3. This protection is joy-inspiring. “Will I rejoice.”
IV. In the sustentation of God. “My soul followeth hard after Thee, Thy right hand upholdeth me.” In the support of the godly soul two important things are here brought into clear view: 1. Man’s trust. “My soul followeth hard after Thee.” More correctly: My soul cleaveth to Thee.’ Hengstenberg: “My soul depends on Thee. In Psa_63:8, there are the mutual relations between the believing soul and the Lord: it depends on Him, and cleaves to Him, like a bur to a coat, and He takes hold of it, and holds it up with His powerful right hand, so that it does not sink into the abyss of destruction and despair.” Our business is to depend upon God, by faith to cleave to Him with the utmost tenacity. 2. God’s power. “Thy right hand upholdeth me.” The right hand is the instrument of skill and strength. With infinite wisdom and almighty power God sustains the souls that trust in Him. This “representation of the mutual affection and reciprocal relation of God and His servant” is both beautiful and encouraging.
V. In the celebration of the praise of God. “My mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips.” The satisfaction of his soul the godly man seeks to express in praise to God. David resolves to praise God—1. Vocally. “My mouth shall praise.” By so doing he would express the praise of his own heart, and excite the hearts and voices of others to praise God. 2. Joyfully. “With joyful lips.” To David, praising God was pleasurable employment. He viewed it not as a duty, but as a delightful privilege.
CONCLUSION.—Here then is satisfaction for the thirsting soul. In the protection, provision, and support of God, and by our meditation and trust and praise of Him, our spiritual anxieties may be calmed, our wants supplied, our joy inspired. Turn thee, thou thirsting soul, from the shallow and muddy streams of earth to the clear and deep river of heavenly grace; and drink, and be for ever blessed (Joh_4:13-14).
(Excerpt from the Preacher's Homiletical)
I. In the provisions of God. “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness.” The provisions of God for the spiritual needs of men are frequently represented in the Scriptures as a sumptuous feast. David looked forward confidently to the realisation of spiritual satisfaction and delight. 1. The Divine provisions are spiritual. “My soul shall be satisfied.” Satisfied with delightful experiences, exalted and blessed fellowship, ennobling occupations, enrapturing prospects. Pardon, communion with God, work for God, hope of holiness and heaven. 2. The Divine provisions are rich. “Marrow and fatness.” The provisions of the Gospel are like a “feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” Its blessings are not only useful but delightful; not only healthful, but pleasant. 3. The Divine provisions are abundant. The Psalmist was assured of satisfaction. “My soul shall be satisfied.” Whatever God gives He gives abundantly. Pardon (Psa_136:5; Psa_136:15; Psa_103:8; Isa_55:7); Redemption (Psa_130:7). Grace (2Co_9:8).
II. In meditation on God. “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.” 1. The nature of this exercise. “Remember, … meditate.” Recollection presented the doings and sayings of God, and then the mind meditated upon them, and upon Him. Meditation is not mere reverie, but musing, or fixed and continuous thought. One of the most important mental exercises, especially in relation to spiritual life and progress. And we fear that it is also a most neglected exercise. 2. The subject of this exercise. “Remember Thee, … meditate on Thee.” The grandest, most glorious subject that is possible. Meditation on God is (1) humbling, inasmuch as it reveals our feebleness, insignificance, sinfulness. (2) Spiritualising, inasmuch as it withdraws us from the material and worldly into association with the spiritual and Divine. (3) Transforming, inasmuch as we become like unto those with whom in thought and feeling we dwell (2Co_3:18). 3. The season of this exercise. “On my bed, in the night watches.” Night is favourable to meditation on God and spiritual things, (1) Because of its darkness. Material things are then hidden from our view and spiritual things appear with reality and vividness. (2) Because of its stillness. The noise and tumult of the day ill accord with meditation on spiritual and Divine themes. The quiet of the night harmonises with and aids such meditation. Great are the advantages of meditation like this.
III. In the protection of God. “Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.” 1. This protection is well assured. It is guaranteed both by God’s promise and by man’s experience. “Because Thou hast been my help, therefore. 2. This protection is perfect. “In the shadow of Thy wings.” (See the Hom. Com. on Psa_57:1.) 3. This protection is joy-inspiring. “Will I rejoice.”
IV. In the sustentation of God. “My soul followeth hard after Thee, Thy right hand upholdeth me.” In the support of the godly soul two important things are here brought into clear view: 1. Man’s trust. “My soul followeth hard after Thee.” More correctly: My soul cleaveth to Thee.’ Hengstenberg: “My soul depends on Thee. In Psa_63:8, there are the mutual relations between the believing soul and the Lord: it depends on Him, and cleaves to Him, like a bur to a coat, and He takes hold of it, and holds it up with His powerful right hand, so that it does not sink into the abyss of destruction and despair.” Our business is to depend upon God, by faith to cleave to Him with the utmost tenacity. 2. God’s power. “Thy right hand upholdeth me.” The right hand is the instrument of skill and strength. With infinite wisdom and almighty power God sustains the souls that trust in Him. This “representation of the mutual affection and reciprocal relation of God and His servant” is both beautiful and encouraging.
V. In the celebration of the praise of God. “My mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips.” The satisfaction of his soul the godly man seeks to express in praise to God. David resolves to praise God—1. Vocally. “My mouth shall praise.” By so doing he would express the praise of his own heart, and excite the hearts and voices of others to praise God. 2. Joyfully. “With joyful lips.” To David, praising God was pleasurable employment. He viewed it not as a duty, but as a delightful privilege.
CONCLUSION.—Here then is satisfaction for the thirsting soul. In the protection, provision, and support of God, and by our meditation and trust and praise of Him, our spiritual anxieties may be calmed, our wants supplied, our joy inspired. Turn thee, thou thirsting soul, from the shallow and muddy streams of earth to the clear and deep river of heavenly grace; and drink, and be for ever blessed (Joh_4:13-14).
(Excerpt from the Preacher's Homiletical)
Cleaving to God
“My soul followeth hard after thee,” or is glued to thee. We follow close at the Lord's heel, because we are one with him. Who shall divide us from his love? If we cannot walk with him with equal footsteps, we will at least follow after with all the strength he lends us, earnestly panting to reach him and abide in his fellowship. When professors follow hard after the world, they will fall into the ditch; but none are ever too eager after communion with the Lord. “Thy right hand upholdeth me.” Else he would not have followed the Lord with constancy, or even have longed after him. The divine power, which has so often been dwelt upon in this and the preceding Psalms, is here mentioned as the source of man's attachment to God. How strong are we when the Lord works in us by his own right hand, and how utterly helpless if he withhold his aid!" (Charles Spurgeon-Treasury of David)
