Psalm 63 8

Psalm 63:8 kjv

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Psalm 63:8 nkjv

My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8 niv

I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8 esv

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8 nlt

I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

Psalm 63 verses

Psalm 63 8 Meaning

Psalm 63:8 conveys a profound statement of personal devotion and divine faithfulness. It expresses the psalmist's tenacious and unwavering pursuit of God with his whole being, matched by God's powerful and sustaining hand which prevents him from falling and provides constant support. It signifies a deeply intimate and dependent relationship where human earnestness meets divine steadfastness.

Psalm 63 8 Context

Psalm 63 is titled "A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah." This context is crucial: David is likely fleeing from danger, possibly from Saul (1 Sam 23:14) or Absalom (2 Sam 15-16). He is in a physically parched and desolate place, yet his deepest longing is not for physical relief, but for God. The psalm opens with his soul thirsting for God as in a dry and weary land. Verse 8 forms the core expression of his response to this intense spiritual thirst: an active, passionate pursuit of God, met by God's powerful, supportive response. Amidst life's trials and wilderness experiences, David asserts his complete reliance on divine support, affirming his hope and trust even when facing adversaries and desolate conditions.

Psalm 63 8 Word analysis

• My soul (נַפְשִׁי, nap̄šî): In Hebrew, "nephesh" refers to the entire person, the inner being, life, and self, rather than merely the emotional or spiritual component in isolation. It emphasizes the totality of the psalmist's being engaged in this pursuit.
• followeth hard after (דָּבְקָה, dāḇəqâ): This verb means "to cling," "to cleave," "to be joined to," "to stick to." It signifies a tenacious, persistent, and intimate adherence, like glue, or the bond of marriage (Gen 2:24). It implies deliberate, resolute attachment and an intense, unwavering devotion, not a casual or momentary following. It reflects passionate devotion and loyalty.
• thee (בָּךְ, bāḵ): Refers directly to God, the object of this intense spiritual pursuit and devotion. The psalmist's focus is singular and unwavering.
• thy right hand (יְמִינְךָ, yə·mîn·ḵā): In the Bible, God's "right hand" is a powerful symbol of His strength, power, authority, effective action, deliverance, victory, and divine favor. It's His active and mighty presence.
• upholdeth me (תִּמְכֵנִי, timḵēnnî): This verb means "to support," "to sustain," "to hold," "to keep from falling." It signifies God's preserving power, His steady hand that provides stability and keeps one secure, preventing collapse, particularly in times of distress and danger.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "My soul followeth hard after thee": This clause encapsulates the psalmist's active, deeply personal, and all-consuming devotion to God. It highlights a resolute choice to pursue God intensely with every fiber of his being, acknowledging God as his supreme need and desire. It portrays a deliberate act of drawing near and maintaining steadfast communion, characteristic of a loyal covenant relationship. This seeking is not a passive waiting but an energetic, determined clinging.
• "thy right hand upholdeth me": This second clause declares the reciprocal, enabling, and powerful divine response to the psalmist's pursuit. God's mighty "right hand" (symbolizing power and sovereignty) actively supports, sustains, and strengthens the one who cleaves to Him. It's an assurance of divine grace and faithful preservation. This suggests that the human act of cleaving is itself enabled by God's prior and ongoing support, indicating a mutual, interdependent relationship where God's strength is perfecting human weakness and desire.

Psalm 63 8 Bonus section

The strength of the verb dāḇaq in "followeth hard after" suggests not just intellectual agreement but a profound, emotional, and volitional sticking. It speaks to a commitment that overcomes obstacles and endures through adversity. This commitment isn't merely human effort but is enabled by God's prior and active upholding; it is often God's grace that allows one to "cling hard" in the first place. The relationship described is thus profoundly integrated: human dependency finding strength in divine enablement. This spiritual symbiosis transforms periods of drought or distress into opportunities for deeper reliance on God, illustrating that God sustains us not just through our struggles, but often in our act of intensely seeking Him within them.

Psalm 63 8 Commentary

Psalm 63:8 beautifully portrays the dynamic interplay between human devotion and divine grace. The psalmist's soul, representing his entire being, intensely and tenaciously "cleaves" to God, demonstrating a profound spiritual yearning and loyalty that transcends his harsh physical circumstances in the wilderness. This "cleaving" (דָּבַק) is an active, chosen, and enduring commitment, reflecting an intimate, persistent bond. In response, and indeed as an enabler of this pursuit, God's powerful and protective "right hand" continually sustains and upholds the psalmist. It is a divine guarantee of support and stability, assuring that even when facing profound challenges, God's mighty presence prevents collapse. This verse is not just a plea for help, but a declaration of a lived reality: those who passionately seek God find themselves upheld by His unfailing power, revealing the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. It teaches us that fervent spiritual pursuit is met with unfailing divine provision, solidifying faith even in desolation.