63  A song by David when he was in the Yehudah wilderness.

1 God, you’re my god. I’m eager to get to know you.

My inner being thirsts for you, and my body needs you

in a dry and depressing land where there’s no water,

2 so I’ve been to the sanctuary to see you—

to see your power and your splendour

3 because your loyal commitment is better than life itself.

My lips will praise you.

4 So I will use my life to bless you.

≈ I will lift up my hands to honour you.

5 My mind will be satisfied as if it’s had a good meal.

My mouth will gladly praise you

6 on my bed as I think about you.

≈ I will meditate about you during the night

7 because you have helped me.

Under your protection, I sing with happiness

8 I stay close to you—

you use your power to support me.

9 Those who are trying to destroy me

will end up down deep under the earth instead.

10 They’ll experience the wrong end of the sword—

they’ll become food for jackals.

11 But the king will express his happiness about God.

Everyone who trusts in God will boast,

but he won’t allow liars to say anything.