“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”
The affirmation that God's steadfast love is better than life establishes an inversion of ordinary values: the covenant relationship with God supersedes even the fundamental desire to continue living. The assertion that lips will praise God articulates the resolve to respond to the experience of divine love with worship and thanksgiving. The reference to praising with joyful lips indicates that the response to divine mercy is not merely intellectual but involves the entire person in bodily expression of joy. This verse articulates the ultimate value of covenant relationship.
Church Fathers on Psalms 63:3
1. This psalm has the title, “For David himself, when he was in the desert of Idumæa.” By the name of Idumæa is understood this world. For Idumæa was a certain nation of men going astray, where idols were worshipped. In no good sense is put this Idumæa. If not in a good sense it is put, it must be understood that this life, wherein we suffer so great toils, and wherein to so great necessities we are made subject, by the name of Idumæa is signified. Even here is a desert where…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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