Psalm 63:8 Study Bible: My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.

◄ Psalm 63:8 ►

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

My soul clings to You;
This phrase reflects a deep, personal relationship with God, emphasizing dependence and intimacy. The Hebrew word for "clings" is "dabaq," which conveys a sense of sticking closely or being glued to something. This imagery is reminiscent of the covenant language found in Deuteronomy 10:20, where Israel is instructed to "fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him." The psalmist's expression of clinging to God suggests a conscious choice to remain close to Him, especially in times of distress. This is a theme seen throughout the Psalms, where the soul's longing for God is a recurring motif (e.g., Psalm 42:1-2). The cultural context of the ancient Near East often involved clinging to deities for protection and provision, but here, the psalmist directs this devotion solely to Yahweh, highlighting monotheistic worship.

Your right hand upholds me.
The "right hand" in biblical literature often symbolizes strength, power, and authority. In Exodus 15:6, the right hand of God is described as "majestic in power," and in Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people by saying, "I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This phrase in Psalm 63:8 conveys God's active role in sustaining and supporting the psalmist. The imagery of being upheld suggests divine protection and guidance, akin to a shepherd caring for his sheep, a common biblical metaphor for God's relationship with His people (Psalm 23). Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described in the New Testament as sitting at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3), signifying His authority and role as the sustainer of believers. Historically, the psalm is attributed to David during his time in the wilderness of Judah, a period marked by physical and spiritual challenges, making the assurance of God's support particularly poignant.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The author of Psalm 63, traditionally believed to be King David, who wrote this psalm during a time of distress, possibly while he was in the wilderness of Judah.

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

3. God
The central figure to whom David directs his longing and trust, depicted as a sustaining and protective force.

Teaching Points

Clinging to God in Times of Trouble
Just as David's soul clings to God, believers are encouraged to hold fast to their faith and trust in God during difficult times.

The Strength of God's Right Hand
The right hand symbolizes power and authority. Understanding that God's right hand upholds us provides comfort and assurance of His protection and support.

Spiritual Intimacy and Dependence
The Hebrew word for "clings" ("dabaq") implies a deep, intimate attachment. Believers are called to cultivate a close relationship with God, relying on Him for sustenance and guidance.

God's Faithfulness
Reflect on God's unwavering faithfulness and how He has upheld you in past challenges, reinforcing trust in His continued support.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the context of David's life enhance your interpretation of Psalm 63:8?

2. In what ways can you "cling" to God in your daily life, especially during times of trial?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt upheld by God's right hand. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

4. How do the additional scriptures (Deuteronomy 33:27, Isaiah 41:10, John 15:4-5) deepen your understanding of God's sustaining power?

5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper spiritual intimacy with God, as suggested by the Hebrew concept of "dabaq"?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 33:27
This verse speaks of God's everlasting arms, which parallels the imagery of God's right hand upholding David in Psalm 63:8.

Isaiah 41:10
This passage reassures believers of God's support and strength, echoing the theme of divine upholding found in Psalm 63:8.

John 15:4-5
Jesus speaks about abiding in Him, which connects to the idea of the soul clinging to God as expressed in Psalm 63:8.

Sermons

David Following God, and Upheld by Him	T. Horton, D. D.	Psalm 63:8
Endeavour and Support	W. Tonse.	Psalm 63:8
Holy Ardour	Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons	Psalm 63:8
The Christian's Pursuit	B. Beddome, M. A.	Psalm 63:8
The Divinity of a True Life	Homilist	Psalm 63:8
The Saint Following Hard After God	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:8
The Saint Upheld by God's Right Hand	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:8
Sublime Things	C. Short	Psalm 63:1-8
A Wilderness Cry		Psalm 63:1-11
Ancient Piety	James Sutcliffe, M. A.	Psalm 63:1-11
David's Desire for God's Presence	R. Glover.	Psalm 63:1-11
David's Owning Of, and Application To, God	T. Horton, D. D.	Psalm 63:1-11
God and the Soul	Canon Liddon.	Psalm 63:1-11
Passionate Devotion	J. Cranbrook.	Psalm 63:1-11
Seeking God	W. W. Wythe.	Psalm 63:1-11
Soul Thirst	W. Forsyth	Psalm 63:1-11
Soul-Thirst	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 63:1-11
The Christian's Longing	R. J. Rowton, M. A.	Psalm 63:1-11
The Greatest Things of the Soul	Homilist	Psalm 63:1-11
The Paramount Need	Edwin Hatch, D. D.	Psalm 63:1-11
The Saint Claiming God as His God	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:1-11
The Saint Resolving to Seek His God	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:1-11
The Saint Thirsting for God	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:1-11
The Soul's Thirst and Satisfaction	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 63:1-11
A Joyful Syllogism	Homilist	Psalm 63:7-8
David's Experience of God's Help	T. Horton, D. D.	Psalm 63:7-8
Experience and Assurance		Psalm 63:7-8
The Argument from Experience	W. M. Statham.	Psalm 63:7-8
The Remembrance of Past Mercies an Inducement to Present Confidence in God	C. Bradley, M. A.	Psalm 63:7-8
The Saint Rejoicing in Divine Help	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:7-8
The Sheltering Wing	W. Birch.	Psalm 63:7-8
Ways in Which God Helps Us	F. R. Williams.	Psalm 63:7-8
What the Lord is to His People	A. Shanks.	Psalm 63:7-8

People

David, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Cleaved, Cleaveth, Clings, Close, Fast, Followeth, Hold, Holdeth, Holds, Keeps, Soul, Stays, Support, Upholdeth, Upholds

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 63:8

1270 right hand of God

Psalm 63:1-8

5832 desire
8618 prayerfulness

Library

Thirst and Satisfaction
'My soul thirsteth for Thee.... 5. My soul shall be satisfied.... 8. My soul followeth hard after Thee.'--PSALM lxiii. 1, 5, 8. It is a wise advice which bids us regard rather what is said than who says it, and there are few regions in which the counsel is more salutary than at present in the study of the Old Testament, and especially the Psalms. This authorship has become a burning question which is only too apt to shut out far more important things. Whoever poured out this sweet meditation in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a Fellow-Labourer --The Work in Ratcliff Highway --Strangers' Rest for Sailors --"Welcome Home" --"Bridge of Hope" --Miss
"They helped every one his neighbour"--Miss Child, a fellow-labourer --The work in Ratcliff Highway--Strangers' Rest for Sailors--"Welcome Home"--"Bridge of Hope"--Miss Macpherson's twenty-first voyage to Canada--Explosion on board the "Sardinian"--Child life in the Galt Home--The Galt Home now devoted to children from London, Knowlton to those from Liverpool, and Marchmont to Scottish Emigrants. "They helped every one his neighbour, and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage" (margin, …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

Whether Oaths are Desirable and to be Used Frequently as Something Useful and Good?
Objection 1: It would seem that oaths are desirable and to be used frequently as something useful and good. Just as a vow is an act of religion, so is an oath. Now it is commendable and more meritorious to do a thing by vow, because a vow is an act of religion, as stated above ([3078]Q[88], A[5]). Therefore for the same reason, to do or say a thing with an oath is more commendable, and consequently oaths are desirable as being good essentially. Objection 2: Further, Jerome, commenting on Mat. 5:34, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Out of the Deep of Death.
My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death has fallen upon me.--Ps. iv. 4. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart.--Ps. lxiii. 25. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.--Ps. xxiii. 4. Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.--Ps. cxvi. 8. What will become of us after we die? What will the next world be like? What is heaven like? Shall I be able …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Joint Heirs and their Divine Portion
I would invite you, my brethren in Christ Jesus, this morning, to do three things; first, let us consider the terms of the will--"joint heirs with Christ;" secondly, let us go forth and view the estates--what it is of which we are joint heirs; and when we have done so, let us proceed at once to administer, for God hath made his children administrators as web as heirs. I. First, then, there is A LEGAL TERM IN THE WILL UPON WHICH THE WHOLE MATTER WILL HINGE. We are called "joint heirs with Christ"--what …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

By all Things' is Meant the Redemptive Attributes and Power of Christ.
Thus, then, we may understand all things to have been delivered to the Saviour, and, if it be necessary to follow up understanding by explanation, that hath been delivered unto Him which He did not previously possess. For He was not man previously, but became man for the sake of saving man. And the Word was not in the beginning flesh, but has been made flesh subsequently (cf. Joh. i. 1 sqq.), in which Flesh, as the Apostle says, He reconciled the enmity which was against us (Col. i. 20, ii. 14, Eph. …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

The Secret Walk with God (ii).
He that would to others give Let him take from Jesus still; They who deepest in Him live Flow furthest at His will. I resume the rich subject of Secret Devotion, Secret Communion with God. Not that I wish to enter in detail on either the theory or the practice of prayer in secret; as I have attempted to do already in a little book which I may venture here to mention, Secret Prayer. My aim at present, as I talk to my younger Brethren in the Ministry, is far rather to lay all possible stress on …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Marks of the New Birth
"So is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:8. 1. How is every one that is "born of the Spirit," -- that is, born again, -- born of God? What is meant by the being born again, the being born of God, or being born of the Spirit? What is implied in the being a son or a child of God, or having the Spirit of adoption? That these privileges, by the free mercy of God, are ordinarily annexed to baptism (which is thence termed by our Lord in a preceding verse, the being "born of water and of the …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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