Psalms 63:4

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Thus will I bless {H1288}{H8762)} thee while I live {H2416}: I will lift up {H5375}{H8799)} my hands {H3709} in thy name {H8034}.

Yes, I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands.

So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Context

Psalm 63 is a deeply personal and passionate psalm attributed to David, likely composed when he was in the wilderness of Judah, possibly fleeing from his son Absalom (as suggested by the psalm's superscription in many Bibles). It vividly portrays David's intense longing for God in a dry and weary land, comparing his spiritual thirst to physical dehydration. The preceding verses express his soul's yearning for God, remembering His power and glory, and declaring God's lovingkindness to be better than life itself. Verse 4 flows naturally as a response to this profound experience and realization of God's worth.

Key Themes

  • Lifelong Devotion: The phrase "Thus will I bless thee while I live" signifies a commitment to continuous, unwavering praise and worship of God throughout one's entire life. It's a vow of enduring faithfulness, not just in times of prosperity but also in adversity, as David was experiencing. This echoes the sentiment of Psalm 145:2, "Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever."
  • Active Worship: "I will lift up my hands in thy name" describes a common and significant posture of ancient worship and prayer. Lifting hands symbolizes surrender, dependence, reverence, and an open posture to receive from God or offer praise to Him. It's an outward expression of an inward spiritual state, demonstrating a physical act of devotion.
  • Worship "In Thy Name": To worship "in thy name" means to do so according to God's character, authority, and presence. It implies a worship that acknowledges who God is – His power, holiness, love, and faithfulness. This isn't just reciting a name, but understanding and revering the very essence of God Himself, trusting in His strength as described in Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "bless thee" comes from the Hebrew word barak (בָּרַךְ), which means to kneel, to praise, to salute, or to adore. When humans "bless" God, it means to praise and adore Him, acknowledging His goodness and sovereignty. The act of "lifting up my hands" is from the Hebrew nasa kapayim (נָשָׂא כַּפַּיִם), a widespread biblical gesture for prayer, supplication, and worship, indicating openness, submission, and seeking divine favor. The preposition "in" before "thy name" (Hebrew: b'shimkha) emphasizes acting by means of, through, or in reliance upon God's very being and authority.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights for modern believers. It encourages a lifestyle of continuous worship, not confined to specific times or places, but integrated into every aspect of life, even during challenging circumstances. The physical act of lifting hands can be a meaningful expression of surrender and devotion, reminding us to humble ourselves before God and open our hearts to Him. Ultimately, it calls us to worship God authentically, understanding and honoring His divine character and relying on His presence in all that we do. Our praise should be rooted in His identity and power, not just our feelings or circumstances.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 104:33

    I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

  • Psalms 134:2

    Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

  • Psalms 28:2

    Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

  • Psalms 145:1

    ¶ David's [Psalm] of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

  • Psalms 145:3

    Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

  • 1 Kings 8:22

    ¶ And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

  • 1 Kings 8:66

    On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.

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