Longing for a Longing Heart

Psalm 63:1-11

INTRODUCTION: The average Christian is apathetic as it pertains to his walk with the Lord. This, in and of itself, may be one of the greatest reasons why we enjoy so little of God’s power, provisions, and presence in our daily lives. The saints of old thoroughly enjoyed their times with God and deeply lamented the seasons of drought.

I. THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES (Psalm 63:1, 9-11)

A. The Present Location (Psalm 63:1)

1. A wilderness (see subtitle); Note: A wilderness in scripture is often identified as a desert (Psalm 106:14)
a. A place void of provisions (Numbers 21:5)
1.) Bread
2.) Water
b. A place void of paths (Job 12:24)
c. A place void of people (Job 38:26)
d. A place void of vegetation (Isaiah 41:19)
e. A place vast with winds and tempests (Jeremiah 13:24)
f. A place vast with dangers (Deuteronomy 8:15)
1.) Fiery serpents
2.) Scorpions
2. A dry and thirsty land, where no water is

B. The Present Desire (Psalm 63:1)

1. The object of desire
a. O God
b. Thou art my God
2. The time of desire—“early will I seek thee”
3. The spring of desire
a. My soul
b. My flesh
4. The likeness of desire
a. My soul thirsteth for thee
b. My flesh longeth for thee
c. Note: The expression matches the words of the psalmist in the forty-second psalm.
1.) “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)
2.) “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:2)

C. The Present Enemies (Psalm 63:9-11)

1. Those who sought his soul (Psalm 63:9)
2. Those who spoke lies (Psalm 63:11)

II. THE PRESENT CONCERN (Psalm 63:2)

A. The Present Void

1. To see thy power
2. And thy glory

B. The Past Visitation

1. As I have seen thee
2. In the sanctuary

III. THE PRESENT CONFIDENCE (Psalm 63:3-8)

A. The Cause of Confidence (Psalm 63:3, 7)

1. Thy lovingkindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3)
2. Thou hast been my help (Psalm 63:7)

B. The Promise of Confidence (Psalm 63:3-8, 11)

1. The promise of pursuit (Psalm 63:1, 8)
2. The promise of praise (Psalm 63:3-5)
3. The promise of prayer (Psalm 63:4)
4. The promise of pondering (Psalm 63:6)
5. The promise of pleasure (Psalm 63:7, 11)

C. The Exclusion of Confidence (Psalm 63:9-11)

1. The exclusion of fear or hindrance (Psalm 63:9-10)
a. Those that seek my soul (Psalm 63:9)
b. Shall go into the lower parts of the earth (Psalm 63:9)
c. They shall fall by the sword and be a portion for foxes (Psalm 63:10)
2. The exclusion of persuasion (Psalm 63:11)
a. The king shall rejoice in God
b. Every one that sweareth by Him shall glory
c. The mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

CONCLUSION: Are you in a dry and thirsty land? Are you satisfied there or do you long to see God’s power and glory as you once knew it?