Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. (v. 3)
What is the most valuable thing you possess? Some of us would say our most expensive possession, like a house, car, or something else. Others would think more philosophically and profess that nothing means more to them than their family, their health, etc. Those who think more broadly might say that freedom or world peace is the most valuable thing to pursue. Yet, David values the love of God above all things, even above his own life. Many of these things diminish in importance when your life is in danger. You don’t think much about world peace or your health when your life flashes before your eyes. A drowning person only thinks about one thing… survival. Yet, David says that the love of God is even more valuable than life itself. Consider that God’s love is eternal; our physical lives are not. They are fleeting at best, just a blip on the screen of time. God’s love is free and available to all, regardless of our station in life. He loves the world. God’s love is pure, perfect, sacrificial, and profound. Experiencing His love in Christ and loving Him in return is the greatest gift in the Universe, much better than our physical life (which is also a gift from Him). The only legitimate response to this for David (and us) is unfettered praise. Meditate on His love today, immerse yourself in the reality of it, and let praise be the result.
