What does Psalm 63:1 mean?

David was thirsty and fading into weakness in the wilderness of Judah, where he was escaping from his rebellious son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 16:14). That journey was difficult; David's traveling group was in dire need of food and water once they crossed the Jordan river (2 Samuel 17:27–29). He uses that situation to symbolize his desire for fellowship with the Lord. David's impulse to worship the Lord was as urgent as physical thirst (Psalm 42:1). Being separated from the tabernacle and the ark (2 Samuel 15:25) made David feel, spiritually, much as he did physically while traveling through the desert.

Because human beings have a physical nature, it's easy to understand the importance of drinking and eating. However, human beings also have a soul which cannot be satisfied without trusting in Jesus as Savior. Jesus often used the analogy of water to explain the life-giving, vital nature of the gospel (John 4:13–14; 7:37–39). He said, "whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). Jesus is the bread of life; He said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). David invites everyone to "taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Psalm 34:8). In the same verse, he exclaims: "Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

The word translated "earnestly" or "eagerly" is a Hebrew word which literally means "to seek early" or "diligently pursue." The implication is that David turns to God as his first response, not his last resort. David's priority is the Lord.