Psalms 63:6

6 when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night;

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 So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name.
5 My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips,
6 when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night;
7 for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to thee; thy right hand upholds me.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.