What does Psalm 63:4 mean?

David was inspired to write these words by an emergency journey through the wilderness. He used his thirst and physical need during the evacuation (2 Samuel 15:13–14; 17:27–29) as an analogy for his desire to praise and worship God (Psalm 63:1–2). David's intent to praise the Lord is based on his experience of God's loyal, reliable love (Psalm 63:3).

Raising the hands toward heaven was a posture of praise in Old Testament times and a posture of prayer in the New Testament. First Kings 8:54 pictures Solomon kneeling before the altar "with hands outstretched toward heaven." In Psalm 28:2 David states, "Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary." First Timothy 2:8 expresses Paul's desire "that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." Of course, the physical position taken during praise and prayer is not as important as the condition of the heart. David writes in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."