Psalm 63 4

Psalm 63:4 kjv

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

Psalm 63:4 nkjv

Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Psalm 63:4 niv

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:4 esv

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:4 nlt

I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.

Psalm 63 verses

Psalm 63 4 Meaning

Psalm 63:4 expresses King David's profound commitment to praise God continuously throughout his life, symbolizing this devotion through the physical act of lifting his hands, which signifies supplication, adoration, and dependence, all performed in accordance with God's holy character and authority. It is a resolute declaration of worship born from an intimate knowledge and longing for God.

Psalm 63 4 Context

Psalm 63 is titled "A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah." This context is crucial. David is likely a fugitive, possibly fleeing from Saul (e.g., 1 Sam 23:14) or Absalom (e.g., 2 Sam 15:23). He is in a desolate, dry place, deprived of physical comfort and perhaps the communal worship of the tabernacle/temple. Despite or because of this extreme physical and emotional thirst, David expresses an even greater spiritual thirst for God (Ps 63:1). He recalls God's power and glory witnessed previously (Ps 63:2) and affirms God's loyal love (checed) as surpassing life itself (Ps 63:3). Verse 4 then follows as a direct resolution: because God's love is so superior, and because David has experienced God's might, he will respond with lifelong praise and devotion. It signifies a proactive, steadfast commitment to worship God regardless of circumstances, contrasting the dry, external surroundings with the overflowing, internal devotion.

Psalm 63 4 Word analysis

• Thus (כֵּן - ken): This word functions as a logical consequence or a linking particle. It translates to "thus," "therefore," "so," "surely." In context, it means "because of all this," specifically the overwhelming goodness and sustaining power of God described in previous verses (particularly verse 3, where God's lovingkindness is deemed better than life), David resolves to live a life of continuous praise. It bridges the deep longing and affirmation of God's character to a committed response.

• I will bless (אֲבָרֶכְךָ - avarekhekhá): From the Hebrew root barakh (ברך), meaning "to kneel," "to praise," "to adore," "to give thanks." When humans "bless" God, it is an act of acknowledging, exalting, and magnifying His inherent goodness, greatness, and holiness. Unlike God blessing humans (which is bestowing favor or good upon them), human blessing of God involves proclaiming His worth and honoring Him, rather than giving Him anything He lacks. The future tense "I will" signifies a firm resolve and promise.

• You (לָּךְ - lakh): The second person singular pronominal suffix attached to the verb, making it a direct, personal address to God. This emphasizes the intimate relationship and personal commitment of the worshiper to the Lord.

• while I live (בְחַיָּ֑י - bechayyay): Literally, "in my life" or "in my living." This phrase indicates the duration and scope of the commitment – throughout all stages and conditions of his existence. It’s a vow for continuous, persistent worship, not merely during moments of ease or specific worship assemblies. It suggests an integral aspect of David's very being. This lifelong devotion is a central theme in Psalms (e.g., Ps 104:33, 146:2).

• I will lift up (אֶשָּׂ֣א - essah): From the Hebrew root nasa (נשא), meaning "to lift," "to carry," "to bear," "to raise." This verb signifies an intentional, upward physical action. In worship, it denotes an offering or an outward expression of an inward state. Like "I will bless," it is in the future tense, showing resolution.

• my hands (כַפַּי - kappay): Literally "my palms" or "my hands." The lifting of hands was a widespread ancient gesture associated with prayer, supplication, surrender, receiving blessings, and public adoration or praise. It symbolized reaching out to God, acknowledging dependence, offering oneself, or showing submission and adoration. It also suggested being ready to receive from God or to physically respond to His presence. In many cultures, raising empty hands indicated purity of intention and emptiness of earthly possessions, making one open to divine blessings.

• in Your name (בְּשִׁמְךָ - beshimkha): This is highly significant. "Name" (שֵׁם - shem) in Hebrew thought often refers to the character, reputation, authority, and very essence of a person. To act "in Your name" means to act according to God's nature, consistent with who He has revealed Himself to be, relying on His power and authority, and for His glory. It signifies an awareness that worship is not about a vague deity but about the specific, holy, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It implies the purity and spiritual integrity of the worship, contrasting with rituals performed in the names of false gods lacking such character or power. The very act of lifting hands, typically a pagan worship gesture, is here redeemed and directed towards the one true God, aligning it with His revealed identity.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Thus I will bless You while I live": This phrase encapsulates David's unwavering and active decision to offer verbal and spiritual adoration to God for the entirety of his life. It speaks of endurance, perseverance, and a deep-seated commitment that transcends temporary circumstances, reflecting a personal covenant with the Almighty. It suggests a lifestyle of worship.
  • "I will lift up my hands in Your name": This signifies the integration of physical expression with spiritual truth. The "lifting of hands" is the outward, visible posture of humble adoration and utter dependence. Doing so "in Your name" anchors this act in God's revealed character, His covenant faithfulness, and His sovereign power, ensuring the worship is rightly directed and pure in its intent and object. It makes the outward act an authentic representation of inward reverence for God's divine essence.

Psalm 63 4 Bonus section

• The shift from yearning in verse 1 and recalling in verse 2, to full satisfaction in verse 3, and then to a definitive, active resolution to praise in verse 4 is a powerful movement. It shows that true worship flows from a deep experience of God's character.
• The phrase "in Your name" sets biblical worship apart from general spirituality or pagan practices. It underscores that authentic worship is specifically directed to the One True God, whose character (name) defines the parameters and integrity of the devotion.
• This verse can be seen as an active expression of the covenant relationship. Just as God keeps His promises to David (His checed, Ps 63:3), David vows to continuously honor God's Name.
• Lifting hands is a precursor to receiving, but it is also an act of offering oneself in spiritual surrender. It connects the physical posture with spiritual disposition—a yielded heart open to God. This dual meaning of giving and receiving often goes hand-in-hand in a relationship with God.

Psalm 63 4 Commentary

Psalm 63:4 captures the worshiper's unwavering resolution to praise God continually, an resolve deeply rooted in an experienced and understood relationship with the Divine. Having articulated an intense thirst for God (v. 1) and recognized His loyal love as paramount (v. 3), David commits to a life of active adoration. The phrase "Thus I will bless You while I live" emphasizes that worship is not merely a transient feeling but a lifelong disposition and conscious choice. It transcends momentary emotion, becoming an integral part of one's existence, enduring through all circumstances—whether in the desolate wilderness or within the security of a palace. The physical act of "lifting up my hands" is a powerful ancient posture, conveying humility, supplication, surrender, and open reception. It signifies giving oneself entirely to God in worship, acknowledging total dependence. Critically, this action is performed "in Your name." This directs the worship to God's specific, holy, and revealed character and authority. It is worship performed according to His nature, relying on His power, and for His glory, differentiating it from empty or misdirected ritual. This verse, therefore, depicts a holistic, intentional, and character-driven commitment to worship, where internal reverence finds outward expression, aligning all of life with the glorious essence of God.

Example for practical usage: Even when feeling overwhelmed by life's "wilderness" experiences (difficulties, isolation, stress), Psalm 63:4 reminds us to intentionally declare God's goodness and surrender our burdens to Him, symbolically lifting our spiritual "hands" in praise, knowing He is our faithful source.