December 3 , 2006 | Author: Dana Marlin  

Thirst for the Living God

“Oh God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you…”

~ Psalm 63:1

Study Overview

An intense desire for closeness and fellowship with Yahweh are found in Psalm 63 and Psalms 42-43.   Psalm 63 was written by David in the Desert of Judea either during his escape from King Saul (1 Samuel 23) or from his son Absalom. 

David eagerly searches for God as he remembers his past experience of God’s holiness, power, glory and covenant love.  

Background

The textual background is 2 Samuel 15:13~16:14.  David was stunned when a messenger told him “the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”  Not knowing the extent of the rebellion, David fled Jerusalem with his household.  The Levites carried the ark of the covenant of God.  David told them “Take the ark back into the city.  If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see his dwelling place again.  But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,” then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”

David traveled weeping, barefoot, head covered.  On his journey he was pelted with stones, showered with dirt and cursed.  David said “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life.  How much more, then, this Benjamite!  Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.  It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”  David had no knowledge of how powerful and widespread Absalom’s following was or how many enemies he might have in Jerusalem. 

Read Psalm 63

David begins with a longing for God—“O God” is Yahweh—the covenant-faithful God (vs.1); on to remembering God’s goodness (vs.2-3); to praise (vs.4-5); back to longing for God during the night as he meditates on God’s previous acts, finding  protection in Him (vs.6-8); to knowing God has the power to deliver and vindicate him (vs.9-10); to concluding with confidence that the deception of his adversaries will come to an end and only the praise of God will be heard (vs.11).

Psalms 42-43

… are considered one psalm.  The psalmist is isolated from temple worship and unable to travel to Jerusalem for the Jewish festivals.  He may have been a refugee, but more than likely he was in exile in the hands of captors who taunted him.  Read 2 Kings 14:11-14 of hostages being taken from Judah.   As long as God is silent, the psalmist’s anguish is unbearable. 

Questions for Study and Discussion

1. The writers of both of these Psalms (David, 63; the sons of Korah, 42-43) are experiencing difficult circumstances in solitude.  How does solitude contribute toknowing God?
2. What did David remember that enabled him to keep going? 
3. What “desert” experiences do we experience today?
4. Praise is a response of faith.  What attributes of God move you to praise?
5. In Psalm 42:3,10 the psalmist foes ask the same question the psalmist does in 42:9.  What does this say to you about faith?
6. What can cause us to feel God is far away today?
7. How do these Psalms help you see ways of overcoming doubt in your faith journey?
8. How is God defined in these Psalms?  How do you define God in your walk with Him?
9. Do you see God in every moment and every place?
10. When you are silent with God, do you see your true self?
11. What do you intend to do with your knowledge about God found in the Psalms?

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” 

~ Matthew 5:16

“… Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” ~ Luke 5:16

“Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life. 

Solitude begins with a time and space for God, and Him alone. 

Jesus’ life was a life of obedience as He listened to His voice, always alert to

His directions.  The core of all prayer is indeed listening,

obediently standing in the presence of God.” 

~ Henri Nouwen

While we are looking at God, we do not see ourselves—blessed riddance.

~ A. W. Tozer

Closing the Class

Psalms 42-43 are metrical—lament (42:1-4); hope (42:5); lament (42:6-7); hope (42:11); lament (43:1-4); hope (43:5).    Divide the class or readers into two groups—lament and hope.  Read Psalms 42-43 with the back and forth metric.

Sing or read aloud hymn 71 “As the Deer” (Psalm 42:1).

Assignment