Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Psalms

Psalms 63

1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; earnestly will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, In a dry and weary land, where no water is.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • A Psalm H4210 (מִזְמוֹר) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
  • of David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
  • when he was in the wilderness H4057 (מִדְבָּר) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
  • of Judah H3063 (יְהוּדָה) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
  • O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • my God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • early will I seek H7836 (שָׁחַר) — properly, to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking)
  • thee: my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • thirsteth H6770 (צָמֵא) — to thirst (literally or figuratively)
  • for thee, my flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
  • longeth H3642 (כָּמַהּ) — to pine after
  • for thee in a dry H6723 (צִיָּה) — aridity; concretely, a desert
  • and thirsty H5889 (עָיֵף) — languid
  • land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • where no H1097 (בְּלִי) — properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.
  • water H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

2 So have I looked upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy power and thy glory.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • thy power H5797 (עֹז) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
  • and thy glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
  • I have seen H2372 (חָזָה) — to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
  • thee in the sanctuary H6944 (קֹדֶשׁ) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Because thy lovingkindness H2617 (חֶסֶד) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
  • better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
  • than life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
  • my lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
  • shall praise H7623 (שָׁבַח) — properly, to address in a loud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as if by words)

4 So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thus will I bless H1288 (בָּרַךְ) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
  • thee while I live H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
  • I will lift up H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • my hands H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
  • in thy name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • shall be satisfied H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
  • marrow H2459 (חֶלֶב) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
  • and fatness H1880 (דֶּשֶׁן) — the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices
  • and my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • shall praise H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • with joyful H7445 (רְנָנָה) — a shout (for joy)
  • lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, And meditate on thee in the night-watches.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When I remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
  • thee upon my bed H3326 (יָצוּעַ) — spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or collectively)
  • meditate H1897 (הָגָה) — to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
  • watches H821 (אַשְׁמֻרָה) — a night watch

7 For thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Because thou hast been my help H5833 (עֶזְרָה) — aid
  • therefore in the shadow H6738 (צֵל) — shade, whether literal or figurative
  • of thy wings H3671 (כָּנָף) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle
  • will I rejoice H7442 (רָנַן) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy)

8 My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • followeth hard H1692 (דָּבַק) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
  • after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
  • thee: thy right hand H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
  • upholdeth H8551 (תָּמַךְ) — to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close

9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • seek H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
  • my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • to destroy H7722 (שׁוֹא) — a tempest; by implication, devastation
  • shall go H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • into the lower parts H8482 (תַּחְתִּי) — lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)
  • of the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

10 They shall be given over to the power of the sword: They shall be a portion for foxes.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They shall fall H5064 (נָגַר) — to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over
  • by the sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
  • by the sword H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
  • they shall be a portion H4521 (מְנָת) — an allotment (by courtesy, law or providence)
  • for foxes H7776 (שׁוּעָל) — a jackal (as a burrower)

11 But the king shall rejoice in God: Every one that sweareth by him shall glory; For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
  • shall rejoice H8055 (שָׂמַח) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
  • in God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • every one that sweareth H7650 (שָׁבַע) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
  • by him shall glory H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • but the mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • of them that speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • lies H8267 (שֶׁקֶר) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
  • shall be stopped H5534 (סָכַר) — to shut up; by implication, to surrender