Psalms 63:8

8 Cleaved hath my soul after Thee, On me hath Thy right hand taken hold.

Psalms 63:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 63:8

My soul followeth hard after thee
In a way of duty, and in the use of means; as prayer, meditation though at a distance from the house of God, and worship of it; that he might not lose sight of him; that he might know more of him, and have more communion with him; being drawn after him with the cords of love, and strongly affected to him. Or, "my soul cleaveth after thee", or "to thee" F20; not to the world, and the things of it; not to that which is evil, but to that which is good, even the "summum bonum"; not to the creature, but to the Lord; which is expressive of union to him, even such an one as is between man and wife, who cleave to each other, and are one flesh, ( Genesis 2:24 ) ; and as is between head and members, vine and branches; see ( 1 Corinthians 6:17 ) ; and of communion in the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty. To cleave to the Lord into hold to him, the head; to exercise the graces of faith, hope, and love upon him; and to follow him in his ways and worship; to abide by his truths; to attend his ordinances; to keep close to his people, and to adhere firmly to his cause and interest; see ( Acts 11:23 ) . The Targum is,

``my soul cleaveth after thy law;''

thy right hand upholdeth me;
that he fell not through the snares laid for him, and the stumbling blocks thrown in his way; that he stood and bore up under all his afflictions, temptations, and difficulties; that he was enabled to follow hard after the Lord, and cleave unto him; this supported, supplied, and protected him, even the mighty power and grace of God. In what a happy, comfortable, and safe condition must the psalmist be! his soul following hard after the Lord; and the Lord holding and sustaining him with his right hand! and how vain must be the attempts of his enemies against him! whose destruction is next predicted.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (Kyrxa hqbd) "adhaesit post te", Montanus, Gejerus; "tibi adhaesit", Tigurine version; so Piscator, Michaelis.

Psalms 63:8 In-Context

6 If I have remembered Thee on my couch, In the watches -- I meditate on Thee.
7 For Thou hast been a help to me, And in the shadow of Thy wings I sing.
8 Cleaved hath my soul after Thee, On me hath Thy right hand taken hold.
9 And they who for desolation seek my soul, Go in to the lower parts of the earth.
10 They cause him to run on the edge of the sword, A portion for foxes they are.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.