“Religion or Relationship”

This song of David is for those who “hunger and thirst” (Mattthew 5:6) for the Lord and His righteousness. Religion has failed man. Religion is based on activity, never to be satisfied. Religion is what man does, even at his best. God “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” so we can be saved and begin not a religion but a relationship with Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Relationship with Him is the all important aspect of being a Christian, yet many have never had such an experience.

A vital relationship with Christ begins with a longing to know Christ in a close, intimate way. (Philippians 3:10)

If you are one that is tired of religion, then you are a candidate for one who truly can have a personal relationship with the Lord and can have a “song in the heart” that comes forth with “Then Sings My Soul.”

In this Psalm, David reveals the basics in getting to know God. But first notice the title of Psalm 63. It reads “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.” It is significant to note that David was not at the National Cathedral in Washington, nor at other famous churches or temples when he wrote this Psalm. He was in the lonely place of the wilderness when God gave him this song. It is also true that it is in the secret places that we meet the Lord. It is important to attend church where we hear about the Lord, but we will get to know Him in the lonely, secret places.

David begins this song by:

1. David admitted his need. Psalm 63:1. “O, God thou art my God” begins David. He confesses the Lord as “my God.” His heart is revealed when he says “early will I seek thee.” Then he goes on to say “my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee.”

David was thirsty and longing for the Lord. Here is where the relationship with the Lord begins - when we thirst for Him, when we long for Him!

Religion produces a “dry and thirsty land, where no water
is”(Psalm 63:1). May someone who studies this Psalm will get an appetite for the knowledge of Him!

2. David saw the Lord (vs. 2). David spent time in the wilderness framing a mental picture of the Lord, His power and His glory. He was concerned that His mind was brought into captivity. He had promised perfect peace to those “whose mind is stayed on thee.” As a man thinketh in His heart, so is he” Jesus said.

3. David praised the Lord (vss. 3-5). In the secret place of the wilderness, David said “my lips shall praise Thee” (vs. 3); “Thus will I bless thee” (vs. 4); and my “My mouth shall praise thee” (vs. 5). The entire book of Psalms is a book of praise! David says, “while I live I will lift up my hands in thy name” (vs. 4). A Christian’s soul can be satisfied because of praise according to verse 5.

4. David meditated on the Lord (vs. 6). To meditate means to “ponder or go over in one’s mind.” The old “cow chewing her cud” is a great illustration of meditation.

5. David rejoiced in the Lord (vss. 7-8). In the lonely place of a wilderness, David rejoiced in the Lord. No one heard him, but the Lord. The Lord was his single reason to rejoice.

6. David’s relationship with the Lord gave him personal victory (vss. 9-11). Here David reveals that even in the wilderness, there were those out to destroy him. David’s relationship had bound his heart to the Lord and gave him grace over the problems of his life. The great hymn “Come Thou Fount” gives us these words:
“O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy Goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee”.