Psalms 65

Psalm 65 opens by declaring that praise is due to God in Zion, who hears prayer and purges iniquities. It extols God's mighty power over creation, from establishing mountains and stilling seas to causing the ends of the earth to fear His tokens. The psalm concludes by celebrating God's bountiful provision, as He waters the earth, enriches it, and crowns the year with goodness, leading all creation to rejoice in His sustaining care.

Psalm 65 begins with an affirmation that praise awaits God in Zion, to whom vows are performed and who hears all prayer, drawing all flesh to Him. The psalmist acknowledges human iniquities and expresses confidence that God will purge them away. Blessed are those whom God chooses to dwell in His holy temple, finding satisfaction in His goodness. The psalm then shifts to extol God's awesome power and righteousness, describing Him as the confidence of the whole earth, who by His strength establishes mountains and stills the tumultuous seas and peoples. His tokens inspire fear in distant lands, and He causes the morning and evening to rejoice. The latter part of the psalm focuses on God's providential care for the earth, detailing how He visits, waters, and enriches it with the “river of God,” preparing abundant corn. He blesses the land with showers, causing the pastures and valleys to flourish with flocks and grain, leading all creation to shout and sing for joy.

Psalm 65, a psalm and song of David, commences by proclaiming that praise is fittingly offered to God in Zion, where vows are also performed. It emphasizes God's role as the hearer of prayer, to whom all humanity will ultimately come. The psalmist humbly confesses the prevalence of iniquities, expressing faith that God will mercifully purge transgressions. A blessing is pronounced upon those whom God chooses and draws near to dwell in His sacred courts, promising satisfaction from the goodness of His holy temple. The psalm then magnifies God's awe-inspiring power and righteous responses, identifying Him as the “God of our salvation” and the unwavering confidence of all the earth's inhabitants, even those far off upon the sea. The text continues to describe God's omnipotence in creation, asserting that He establishes mountains by His strength and is girded with power. He demonstrates His sovereignty by stilling the roaring noise of the seas and their waves, as well as the tumult of peoples. Even those in the remotest parts of the earth are struck with awe by His signs, and He orchestrates the joyous outgoings of both morning and evening. The latter half of the psalm vividly portrays God's benevolent provision for the earth. He is depicted as visiting and watering the land, greatly enriching it with the “river of God,” which is full of water, thereby preparing abundant corn for humanity. God meticulously waters the ridges and settles the furrows, softening the ground with showers and blessing its springing growth. The psalm culminates in a celebration of God's annual bounty, declaring that He “crowns the year with thy goodness” and that His paths “drop fatness.” This abundance extends to the pastures of the wilderness, causing the little hills to rejoice. The imagery concludes with pastures clothed with flocks and valleys covered with corn, all creation metaphorically shouting for joy and singing in praise of God's sustaining care.