Psalm 63

Read first from the contemporary English version, then from the new if I standard version,

and finally from the message.

You are my God, I worship you, in my heart I long for you, as I would long for a stream and a

scorching desert. I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship.

Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you.

I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.

I think about you God before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night.

You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings.

I stay close to you, and your powerful arms support me. All who want to kill me will end up in the

ground. Swords will run them through, and wild dogs will eat them.

Because of you, our God, the King will celebrate with your faithful followers,

but liars will be silent.

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, be holding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live. I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I

think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.

For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings, I sing for joy.

My soul clings to you. Your right hand upholds me.

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