Psalms 63:6

6 If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.

Psalms 63:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 63:6

When I remember thee upon my bed
Or "beds" F17; seeing he lay in many, as Kimchi observes, being obliged to flee from place to place. The sense is, that when he was on his bed in the night season, when alone, and free from worldly cares and fatigues, and called to mind the love of God to him, the past experience of his kindness, his promises to hits, and the fulfilment of them: that he should then be delightfully entertained, abundantly satisfied, slid his mouth be filled with songs of praise;

[and] meditate on thee in the [night] watches;
which the Jewish writers on the text say were three, as they were with the Jews, but with the Romans four; (See Gill on Matthew 14:25); and the night, in the times of Homer F18, was divided into three parts: the night season is a very proper one for meditation on the perfections, providences, promises, word and works of God; and which is very delightful and profitable, when attended with the presence, Spirit, and grace of God. The Targum is,

``in the watches I will meditate on thy word.''


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (yewuy) "stratis meis", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator, Cocceius; so Junius & Tremellius, Ainsworth.
F18 Iliad. 10. v. 252, 253.

Psalms 63:6 In-Context

4 I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
6 If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
7 Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play.
8 I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.