Bible Commentaries
Psalms 65

Verses 1-13

Psalms 65

An Harvest Time Psalm

This psalm of three Strophes was written after a violent rebellion had been quelled against David.

Scripture v. 1-13:

Verse 1 declares that praise waited (was silent) for God in Zion, the city of God, under dominion of His enemies. He added however, that unto God the vow (of praise) would be performed there one glorious day. For it was then the only lawful place to worship, Psalms 132:14. Just as, in the church, is now the ordained Scriptural place for worship, Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 10:24-25.

Verse 2 pleads "O thou (living God) that continually hears prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come," all who are weak in the flesh, come, to find strength and help, Psalms 56:4; Psalms 104:27; Job 38:41. Tho all do not come to Him for help, the offer is open, Matthew 11:28; Revelation 22:17; All shall one day come and behold His glory, Isaiah 66:18; Isaiah 62:10. See also 1 Kings 18:29; Isaiah 45:11; Isaiah 65:24; Jeremiah 29:12-13; Luke 11:9-10; Acts 10:31; John 12:32.

Verse 3 states "matters of iniquity prevail," stand out, "against me," Psalms 105:27. His attitude was that he was sinful and unworthy to approach God in prayer, Psalms 38:4; Psalms 40:12; Psalms 130:3-4. But God came forward, took the initiative, to save us, Romans 5:8. David rejoiced that "as for our transgressions," ’thou shalt purge them away," or cover them with atonement blood, Romans 5:20; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Verse 4 declares "blessed (spiritually prosperous) is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts;" That man, king of Israel, was David tho now away from his court, Psalms 33:12; Psalms 4:3; Psalms 78:70-71; Psalms 106:4-5; Psalms 135:4; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:12. He added that He and his people would be satisfied with the goodness of God’s house, the holy. temple, Psalms 63:5; Psalms 46:4; See also Ephesians 2:19; Ephesians 3:21.

Verse 5 adds that by terrible things in righteousness, shown in judgment, God would answer David, as the God of his salvation, liberation, the object of confidence and trust of men to the ends of the earth, even upon the sea, Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 7:23; Isaiah 66:16; Isaiah 66:18; Isaiah 66:23; Psalms 22:27-28; Matthew 12:42.

Verses 6, 7 declare that by His strength He, girded with power, sets or fixed fast the mountains in their places; By the same power of omnipotent nature, He stills the noise of the sea, the waves, and the tumult of the people, John 1:4; Matthew 8:26; Psalms 46:3; Jeremiah 51:25; Psalms 46:2; Psalms 89:9; Daniel 7:2; Jeremiah 5:22-24. Even as He did Pharaoh and Sennacherib.

Verse 8 states that the dwellers in all parts of the earth were fearful of God’s tokens, that caused morning and evening to rejoice, or sing, Exodus 15:11; Joshua 2:9; Joshua 2:11; Habakkuk 3:3; Acts 5:38-39.

Verses 9, 10 describe God’s visiting the earth with water to cause corn to grow and food to be provided for men, watering the ridges of the earth abundantly, settling the plowed furrows, making them soft with showers, to provide food for men, Joel 2:14; Deuteronomy 11:11-12; Psalms 36:8; Jeremiah 2:13; James 1:17.

Verses 11-13 ascribe the Lord shepherd-care in crowning the year with goodness, his benefits, Psalms 104:3, dropping fatness or prosperity in his paths. The pastures of the wilderness and the "little hills," were said to rejoice on every side, with moisture for their shoots and growth. It is added "the pastures are clothed with flocks," Isaiah 30:23. The valleys were covered with growing grain, causing occasion for singing and shouts of joy on every hand. Abundance and riches came on God’s land and God’s people, when they returned to His house and His ways, Job 38:26-27; Psalms 63:5.