I felt God wanted me to share this Psalm with you before I wrote yesterday's study. Now I understand why. I think the overall principles still apply, but I seem to have misjudged David. I am actually glad about that. Derek Kidner, A F Kirkpatrick and others in their commentaries allocate the following Psalm to the very time that David was seeking to hide from Absalom. I had assumed it related to a different time. They don't appear to see it as I indicated yesterday and I accept their conclusions. "Once more the worst brought out David's best. His strong faith and commitment to God's will is evidenced in his willingness to leave the Ark of God behind in Jerusalem. There may be other Psalms that equal this outpouring of devotion; few if any that surpass it. His words represent the eagerness of a friend – almost of a lover – to be in touch with the one he holds dear." 

"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body [being] longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen [or let me see] you in your sanctuary and gazed [or let me gaze] upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling [cleave] to you; your strong right hand holds me securely" (Ps 63:1-8).

Let's make this our prayer for today. "Your unfailing love is better than life itself." David knew how much God loved him. He lived in God's love and looked forward to continuing to do so throughout eternity. I have even deeper respect for him than I did before.