“MY LIPS SHALL PRAISE THEE!” – DAVID’S REASONS FOR PRAISE

David, pens the words of Psalm 63 in the wilderness of Judah. In all probability, he was being chased by king Saul, and his armies. In the midst of running to keep himself alive; running scared and fearful of what may happen to him, David comes up with one the most beautiful Psalms. In the face of severe persecution, and a certain death, David thinks of praising God. It is an insight into his heart, his attitude and his spiritual status, stability and maturity, even though he was not an old man, seeped in experience.
– “3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” – Psalms 63:3-7

David, gives us his reasons to praise his God, even though the situation he was in, was not too great, neither “conducive” for such an act. Herein is the secret to his faith, and herein is a model for us to follow.

1- BECAUSE OF THY LOVINGKINDNESS…
– “3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” – Psalm 63:3-4
David hits the matter of praising God, at the very core of it. He says, “…thy lovingkindness is better than life….” The comparison and the parallel, drawn between God’s lovingkindness, and his own life, tells us, which one is of far greater value in David’s sight. Everything else depends upon this conclusion, which forms the foundational principle in David’s life.

2- IN GOD MY SOUL SHALL BE SATISFIED
– “5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.” – Psalm 63:5-6
David goes on further, to put before us, his second foundational principle for his life. Remembering God’s goodness, grace and mercy, as he rests upon his bed – speaks about what he does, when he gets time to think. When he remembers God’s goodness, grace and mercy, he is satisfied as with marrow and fatness – nourishment and health. Therefore he says, “…my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips…” because it nourishes him, and gives him health.

3- I WILL REJOICE BECAUSE THOU HAST BEEN MY HELP
– “7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” – Psalm 63:7
Lastly David speaks of his safety and security. God is his help, refuge and a strong tower – Psalm 46. He lives under the shadow of the Almighty – Psalm 91. Therefore says David, “I will rejoice” because “God is my help” and I am resting “under the shadow of the Almighty!”

How we perceive God, is how we see life. How we know and acknowledge God, is the way we approach life, and all its struggles and storms. David looked to God as his everything – “better than his own life.” David’s circumstances did not determine how he looked at his life, and all what was happening in and around him. He understood that, God is Sovereign, Almighty and absolutely loving. Therefore, he need not worry about anything, but rather sing praises to YAHWEH, in the face of everything life throws at him, because God is his strong tower and his refuge. How about us? May the LORD help us to know and trust God, as did David of old. Even so the LORD help us.