Psalm 63
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 63[a]
Ardent Longing for God
1 A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.(A)
I
2 O God, you are my God—
it is you I seek!
For you my body yearns;
for you my soul thirsts,
In a land parched, lifeless,
and without water.(B)
3 I look to you in the sanctuary
to see your power and glory.
4 For your love is better than life;[b]
my lips shall ever praise you!
II
5 I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.
6 My soul shall be sated as with choice food,
with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you!
7 I think of you upon my bed,
I remember you through the watches of the night
8 You indeed are my savior,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.(C)
9 My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
III
10 But those who seek my life will come to ruin;
they shall go down to the depths of the netherworld!
11 Those who would hand over my life to the sword shall
become the prey of jackals!
12 But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by the Lord[c] shall exult,
but the mouths of liars will be shut!(D)
Footnotes
- Psalm 63 A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. Separated from God (Ps 63:2), the psalmist longs for the divine life given in the Temple (Ps 63:3–6), which is based on a close relationship with God (Ps 63:7–9). May all my enemies be destroyed and God’s true worshipers continue in giving praise (Ps 63:10–11)!
- 63:4 For your love is better than life: only here in the Old Testament is anything prized above life—in this case God’s love.
- 63:12 All who swear by the Lord: to swear by a particular god meant that one was a worshiper of that god (Is 45:23; 48:1; Zep 1:5).
Salmos 63
Reina-Valera Antigua
63 Salmo de David, estando en el desierto de Judá. DIOS, Dios mío eres tú: levantaréme á ti de mañana: Mi alma tiene sed de ti, mi carne te desea, En tierra de sequedad y transida sin aguas;
2 Para ver tu fortaleza y tu gloria, Así como te he mirado en el santuario.
3 Porque mejor es tu misericordia que la vida: Mis labios te alabarán.
4 Así te bendeciré en mi vida: En tu nombre alzaré mis manos.
5 Como de meollo y de grosura será saciada mi alma; Y con labios de júbilo te alabará mi boca,
6 Cuando me acordaré de ti en mi lecho, Cuando meditaré de ti en las velas de la noche.
7 Porque has sido mi socorro; Y así en la sombra de tus alas me regocijaré.
8 Está mi alma apegada á ti: Tu diestra me ha sostenido.
9 Mas los que para destrucción buscaron mi alma, Caerán en los sitios bajos de la tierra.
10 Destruiránlos á filo de espada; Serán porción de las zorras.
11 Empero el rey se alegrará en Dios; Será alabado cualquiera que por él jura: Porque la boca de los que hablan mentira, será cerrada.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.