My Soul Thirsts for You

Psalm 63:1-8

Psalm 63 is a psalm of David, written, its heading says, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah, longing for God the way a dry land longs for water.

O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You this morning; my soul thirsts for You, as in a dry and weary land without water. Your loving devotion is better than life, so my lips will praise You, and I lift my hands in Your name. Satisfy my soul today. You are my help; I will sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; hold me up with Your right hand. Amen.

Psalm 63 is a psalm of David, written, its heading says, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah, longing for God the way a dry land longs for water.

The Scripture

“A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. So I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory. Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands. My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods; with joyful lips my mouth will praise You. When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night. For You are my help; I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”
— Psalm 63:1-8

Prayer points from Psalm 63:1-8

Tell God He is your God, and seek Him first today (v. 1).
Name the dry places in your life where you thirst for Him (v. 1).
Remember a time you saw His power and glory, and thank Him (v. 2).
Praise Him that His loving devotion is better than life (v. 3).
Lift your hands to Him, and ask Him to satisfy your soul (vv. 4–5).
Cling to Him, and ask His right hand to hold you up through the day (v. 8).

About this verse

The heading places David in the Wilderness of Judah, the dry country that runs down to the Dead Sea, where he once hid from Saul (1 Samuel 23–24). In a dry and weary land without water, he turns his longing into prayer: “O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.” He remembers seeing God’s power and glory in the sanctuary, and he decides that God’s loving devotion is better than life itself. Even on his bed at night he thinks of God, and he sings “in the shadow of Your wings.” This part of the psalm ends with both sides of a strong hold: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Christians have prayed this psalm at the start of the day for centuries, and it is still part of morning prayer in many churches. This prayer is for anyone who wants to begin the morning by seeking God first, especially in a dry season.

When to pray this prayer

First thing in the morning, before you check your phone
In a dry season, when faith feels thin
On a long day when you feel worn and weary
Lying awake at night, remembering Him on your bed
Before you read the Bible, asking for a hunger for God
When you miss worship and long to be back

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