“Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”
The resolution to bless God while living and lift up hands in prayer articulates the commitment to perpetual worship and petition throughout life. The lifting of hands suggests the ancient posture of prayer and petition; the entire body becomes an instrument of worship. The reference to lifting hands in God's name indicates that the prayer is directed toward the God whose name and character the psalmist reveres. This verse articulates the constancy of the commitment to praise and prayer.
Church Fathers on Psalms 63:4
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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