Focal Passage: Psalm 63:1-11
In about the middle of my pastoral years (three decades ago!) ministers of music began introducing “praise and worship songs” into congregational hymn-singing. I especially remember two of those praise songs to this day; they were beloved — and were what I call ‘very singable.’ The words of both songs come directly from Psalm 63, our study-text for today: “Oh God, You Are My God” and “Thy Lovingkindness Is Better Than Life.” If you were ‘around’ during the 80’s and early 90’s, you probably can still sing them. So let’s ‘sing and study’ Psalm 63, from the current series of lessons called The Heart of Worship. Today’s topic is The BENEFITS of Worship.
Psalm 63 was not only sung during church services in recent decades, it was also a staple in congregational music in the earliest centuries of the church. One of the most eloquent preachers and prolific authors in the early days of Christianity, John Chrysostom (347-407 A.D), said that it was ordained and agreed upon … that no day should pass without the public singing of Psalm 63. The primitive fathers began every morning worship by singing this Psalm!
Several blessings, or benefits, of real worship are revealed in Psalm 63:
We can worship anywhere (verses 1-2). The Psalmist describes being thirsty in a dry, desolate land; this could refer to David’s escapes into the wilderness. But these words certainly pull us in also, because we’ve all experienced dry, desolate places in our lives. Then David suddenly recalls being in the sanctuary, seeing God’s strength and glory. Whether hiding alone in a cave or with others at church, we sing, “Oh God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.”
We can worship in more ways than one (verses 3-4). Of course we praise God with our words (my lips will glorify You), but also with our whole life (as long as I live), and with our hands raised (at your name, I will lift up my hands.) “Your lovingkindness (faithful love) is better than life … My lips shall praise Thee, Thus will I bless Thee, I will lift up my hands unto Thy Name.”
We can even enjoy worship like enjoying rich food (verse 5)! True worship satisfies the soul like a great meal does the stomach.
We can worship even when we’re awake at night (verse 6). Instead of counting sheep, try praising the Shepherd!
We can get under God’s wings and into His hands when we truly worship (verses 7-8). Visualize yourself being protected by and guided by God, and singing: “And step by step You’ll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days.”
We can defeat our enemies when we truly worship (verses 9-10). Enemies come in different forms; the Psalmist’s LIFE was frequently threatened, while we have enemies of our SOULS — the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Remember Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 20)? His was just one of many Bible battles where the enemy was defeated by joyful praise and worship.
We can be rewarded when we truly worship (verse 11). When the Psalmist truly worshiped, the enemies’ mouths were shut. Remember, “Satan trembles when he sees even the weakest Christian on his knees.” It’s amazing what PRAISING can do! B&R — Dawson is pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church, Columbia, and has served as transitional interim pastor at numerous churches since his retirement from full-time ministry.


