Psalm 63:3

Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.

Study Bible

Because Your loving devotion
The phrase "loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed), which encompasses a rich tapestry of meanings including mercy, kindness, and steadfast love. In the context of the Old Testament, chesed is a covenantal term, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His people. This divine attribute is not merely an emotional expression but a binding promise of loyalty and faithfulness. Historically, this concept would have resonated deeply with the Israelites, who understood their relationship with God as one of covenantal love, a promise that God would remain faithful even when they faltered.

is better than life
The comparison here elevates God's loving devotion above the most fundamental human experience—life itself. In the Hebrew mindset, life is the ultimate gift from God, filled with blessings and opportunities to serve Him. Yet, the psalmist, likely David, asserts that experiencing God's chesed surpasses even the gift of life. This reflects a profound spiritual truth: the eternal and unchanging nature of God's love is of greater value than the temporal and often unpredictable nature of human existence. Historically, this would have been a radical statement, emphasizing the eternal over the temporal, and encouraging believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else.

my lips will glorify You
The response to recognizing God's loving devotion is one of praise and worship. The Hebrew word for "glorify" is "שָׁבַח" (shabach), which means to laud, praise, or commend. This is an active, vocal expression of adoration, suggesting that the acknowledgment of God's chesed naturally overflows into verbal praise. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oral expression was a primary means of communication and worship, and the psalmist's declaration would have been understood as a public and communal act of worship. This phrase encourages believers to not only internalize their gratitude but to express it outwardly, sharing the goodness of God with others and participating in the communal life of faith.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The author of Psalm 63, traditionally believed to be King David, who wrote this psalm while in the wilderness of Judah. This context reflects a time of personal trial and reliance on God.

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

3. God's Loving Devotion (Chesed)
The Hebrew word "chesed" is often translated as "loving devotion" or "steadfast love," emphasizing God's covenantal faithfulness and mercy.

Teaching Points

The Supremacy of God's Love
God's loving devotion is described as "better than life," indicating its supreme value and importance over all earthly experiences and possessions.

Response of Praise
Recognizing the greatness of God's love should naturally lead to a response of praise and glorification, as David's lips glorify God.

Endurance in Trials
In times of wilderness or trial, focusing on God's steadfast love provides strength and hope, reminding believers of His unchanging nature.

Covenantal Relationship
Understanding "chesed" as covenantal love encourages believers to trust in God's promises and faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the Hebrew word "chesed" deepen your appreciation of God's loving devotion in your life?

2. In what ways can you prioritize God's loving devotion over the challenges and distractions of daily life?

3. How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine as a response to God's steadfast love?

4. Reflect on a time when you were in a "wilderness" experience. How did focusing on God's love help you endure?

5. How does the concept of God's covenantal love in Psalm 63:3 connect with the New Testament understanding of God's love through Christ?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 136
This psalm repeatedly emphasizes God's "steadfast love" (chesed), highlighting the enduring nature of His loving devotion.

Lamentations 3:22-23
These verses speak of God's mercies being new every morning, reinforcing the idea of His loving devotion being better than life itself.

Philippians 1:21
Paul expresses a similar sentiment to David's, valuing Christ above life itself, which echoes the theme of prioritizing God's love and presence.