Psalms 63:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Because your mercy is better than life, my lips will give you praise.
Webster's Revision
Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
World English Bible
Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
English Revised Version (ERV)
For thy lovingkindness is better than life; my lips shall praise thee.
Clarke's Psalms 63:3 Bible Commentary
Thy loving-kindness is better than life - This is the language of every regenerate soul. But O how few prefer the approbation of God to the blessings of life, or even to life itself in any circumstances! But the psalmist says, Thy loving-kindness, חסדך chasdecha, thy effusive mercy, is better מחיים mechaiyim, than Lives: it is better than, or good beyond, countless ages of human existence.
My lips shall praise thee - Men praise, or speak well, of power, glory, honor, riches, worldly prospects and pleasures; but the truly religious speak well of God, in whom they find infinitely more satisfaction and happiness than worldly men can find in the possession of all earthly good.
Barnes's Psalms 63:3 Bible Commentary
Because thy loving-kindness is better than life - Thy favor; thy mercy. This is of more value than life; more to be desired than life. Life is the most valued and valuable thing pertaining to this world which we can possess. See the notes at Job 2:4. But, above this, David valued the favor and friendship of God. If one or the other was to be sacrificed, he preferred that it should be his life; he would be willing to exchange that for the favor of God. Life was not desirable, life furnished no comforts - no joys - without the divine favor.
"My life itself, without Thy love,
No taste of pleasure could afford;
'Twould but a tiresome burden prove,
If I were banished from the Lord."
My lips shall praise thee - That is either
(a) because of this loving-kindness; because I have this trust in thy character; or
(b) because thou wilt restore me to the place of public worship, and I shall be permitted again to praise thee.
Probably the latter is the true idea.