To the chief musician, a psalm, a song of David
65
📚Praise waits for you, O God, in Zion,
and to you the vow 📖 will be fulfilled.
65:1 This psalm is taken up completely with God. It can be divided into three parts: the worship of God (vs 1-4), the mighty acts of God (vs 5-8), and God’s goodness in sending a rich harvest (vs 9-13). The Hebrew of the first part of verse 1 is difficult. It could also be translated “to you silence is praise, O God, in Zion”. This is because the Hebrew word translated “waits” may also mean “silence”.⚜
2 📚O you who hear prayer,
to you all flesh will come.
65:2 Here is a name of the true God, an attribute as sure as His holiness, His justice, or His love. The God of the Bible, the great Creator answers prayer – Ps 66:19-20; 81:7; 86:5; 99:6; 118:5; Gen 35:3; Ex 19:19; Matt 7:7; Rom 10:12; Heb 11:6. He is contrasted in the Bible with gods and idols, none of which can ever answer prayer – Ps 115:3-7; Jer 10:3-5; 1 Kings 18:24-29, 36-39.⚜
3 📚Sins prevail against me.
As for our transgressions,
you will purge them away.
65:3 Anyone who wants to pray to the true God will have to face the problem of sin. Sin separates between God and man and keeps God from answering prayer. See Ps 66:18; Isa 59:1-4. Our sins must be put away, be forgiven. This God Himself does because of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus (Eph 1:7; 1 John 1:7-10). But the sins God forgives we must forsake.⚜
4 📚Blessed is the man whom
you choose and cause
to approach you,
so that he may dwell in your
courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness
of your house, of your holy temple.
65:4 Note on blessed at Ps 1:1-2. God chooses us before we ever choose Him – John 15:16; Eph 1:4, 11; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2. Then He brings us near to be His worshipers and live in His presence (John 14:23; Eph 2:13-18; Heb 10:19-22).⚜
5 📚You will answer us
by awe-inspiring
things in righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
who are the confidence
of all the ends of the earth,
and of those who are far off
on the sea,
65:5 Those who pray should be prepared for the mysterious, awe inspiring and altogether just working of God in their lives. He will fight against their sin and pride. He will discipline and test them. He will prepare them for answers in ways that sometimes will bring them to the verge of despair (Ps 66:10-12). But we should always remember that He is the God of salvation, desires our highest good, and is completely trustworthy.⚜
6 📚Who established the mountains
by his strength,
being clothed with power,
7 📚Who stills the noise of the seas,
the noise of their waves,
and the tumult of the people.
8 📚Also those who live in the uttermost
parts are afraid of your signs.
You cause the dawning of the morning
and evening to rejoice.
65:6-8 God is able to answer prayer in any way He sees fit, for He is the mighty Creator in control of the wild sea or turbulent peoples (Matt 8:23-27).⚜
9 📚You visit the earth, and water it.
You greatly enrich it with the river
of God,
which is full of water.
You prepare grain for them, for you
have provided it like this.
10 📚You water its ridges abundantly.
You settle its furrows.
You make it soft with showers.
You bless what springs up.
11 📚You crown the year
with your goodness,
and your paths drip with
abundance.
12 📚They drip on the pastures
of the wilderness,
and on every side the little hills
rejoice.
13 📚The pastures are clothed
with flocks.
The valleys also are covered
with grain.
They shout for joy, they also sing.
65:9-13 A beautiful picture of the Creator sending rain on the earth and giving fruitful fields and abundant harvests. He does this even though few people acknowledge Him or give Him thanks for it. O ungrateful man, who has made the soil and the seed you plant? Who brings the rain? Who brings the crops to harvest? Lift up your eyes to the heavens and thank the gracious Maker of both earth and mankind (Acts 14:15-17; Joel 2:23-24; Ezek 34:26-27; Job 5:10; Deut 11:13-15).⚜