My soul thirsteth for God (comp. Psalms 63:1; Psalms 143:6; Isaiah 55:1). The devout soul is always athirst for God. David felt his severance from the tabernacle and its services as a sort of severance from God himself, whom he was accustomed to approach through the services of the sanctuary (see 2 Samuel 15:25, 2 Samuel 15:26).
For the living God. This title of God occurs only in one other psalm (Psalms 84:2); but it was a title familiar to David (1 Samuel 17:27). It is first used in Deuteronomy 5:26; and, later, in Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:16; Isaiah 37:4, Isaiah 37:17; Jeremiah 10:10; Jeremiah 23:36; Daniel 6:26; Hosea 1:10.
It expresses that essential attribute of God that he is "the eternal Life" (1 John 5:20), the Source and Origin of all life, whether angelic, human, or animal. When shall I come and appear before God?
Appearance in the tabernacle must here be specially meant, but with this David connects his return to God's favour and to the light of his countenance (2 Samuel 15:25).