That Psalm 63 is a psalm of praise is unmistakable. All I have to do is sit back and see the number of verses I have underlined with my brown colored pencil. Underline in brown . . . that’s my color code for “worship & praise.” “Because Your steadfast love is better than life,” pens the psalmist, “my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands” (Ps. 63:3-4 ESV). The king rejoices in His God . . . he glories in the One in whom he trusts. But what grabs me this morning is that this psalm is written by David when he was in the wilderness . . . it is a song sung in the shadow.

There’s something about the worship that comes out of trial . . . something unique about the passion of praise which results from the pressure of going through the ringer. Pretense is removed . . . self-sufficient pride is gone . . . all that’s left is the sufferer and the Sovereign . . . and from the shadow, there is a song to be sung.

David is on the run from those “who seek to destroy my life” (63:9) . . . he is in “a dry and weary land where there is no water” (63:1b). And what does he do in such a desperate situation? “O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You . . . So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory” (63:1-2). Seeking . . . thirsting . . . fainting . . . beholding . . . there’s something about the wilderness that strips away all the clutter and helps the child of God to focus on that which is most needful. When you’re hungry, you look for food . . . when you’re thirsty, you try to find something to wet your lips . . . when you’re lost, you look for some direction . . . when you’re down, you tend to look up . . . look way up. And how often, in those times does God invite us into His holy presence to behold afresh His power and glory? And it is from that place that some of the most heartfelt, heaven penetrating, worship is offered . . .

“For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.” (Psalm 63:7 ESV)

The shadow of the wilderness gives way to the shadow of His wings . . . the scorching heat of the desert is dissipated as we seek refuge in the shade of the God of heaven . . . and from there a song of joy emanates.

That trials will come . . . that deserts will be entered . . . that enemies will arise . . . all are certain. But that there is a place of protection . . . that there is a rock to stand firm upon . . . a promise to hold fast to . . . and a wing under which we can find rest . . . is equally certain. And from that shadow there is not only rest, but through His all-sufficient grace there is rejoicing.

Think about it, how much closer can you get to the God than to be under His wing? How much nearer . . . how much more intimate? When you’re that close it’s not just a morsel of food that’s given to satisfy the hunger, but a banquet to feast upon. Not just a drip of water upon the tongue to satisfy the thirst, but a gushing well of living water reviving the very soul. Not just a Google map to help you navigate the way, but the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, God Himself, indwelling you and leading you in paths of righteousness. Isn’t that why, so often, some of the sweetest praise comes from the toughest times. I’m thinkin’!

Praise God for the shadow . . . not for the darkness of the depths of suffering . . . but for the shaded, cool protective covering of Jehovah. For there is a song sung in the shadow which ascends to heaven as a sweet and acceptable offering. A song written on hearts that realize a peace that passes understanding and a praise fueled solely by the God who draws near to us when we draw near to Him (James 4:8).

Sing saint! Sing for joy! Lift your hands! Seek Him . . . thirst for Him . . . faint for Him . . . and then, behold Him in the sanctuary . . . full of power and glory! And then sing the song from the shadow . . . for His glory . . . amen!