Today, we turn our attention to Psalm 65, a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving that takes us on a journey. It begins in the quiet halls of the temple, in the very presence of God, and then expands to encompass the entire globe. It is a psalm that celebrates God's power and His goodness, moving from the spiritual blessing of forgiveness to the physical blessing of a bountiful harvest. It is a reminder that our God is not just the God of our souls, but the God of all creation.
I. The Praise that Waits and the Forgiveness that Cleanses (vv. 1-4)
1. The psalm begins with a beautiful and somewhat mysterious phrase:
"Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed." This is a deliberate and confident declaration. It speaks of a people who have promised to praise God, and now they wait to fulfill that promise. It's an expectant praise, a praise that is ready to be offered because they know God will prove Himself faithful. This is our posture as well. We are not just praising God for what He has already done, but our praise is a testimony of our confidence in what He will do.
2. ?Why does our praise wait for God? The psalm gives us the answer in the very next verse:
"O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." We praise a God who listens. But before all flesh can truly come to Him, there must be a cleansing. The psalm immediately addresses our greatest problem: "Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away."
?This is the very foundation of our praise. We cannot stand before a holy God with a heart filled with sin. The psalmist is honest about his own iniquity, but he is confident in God's power to "purge" it away. The word "purge" is a powerful one; it means to cover over, to atone for. Our ability to praise, to worship, and to draw near to God is not based on our own goodness, but on His goodness to forgive.
3. ?And what is the ultimate blessing of this forgiveness?
It is the privilege of being in God's presence. "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple." The ultimate blessing is not the removal of sin, but the restored relationship with God that comes from it. To be chosen by God, to be brought near to Him, and to "dwell in His courts"—this is the greatest satisfaction our souls can know.
II. The Power That Awe-Inspires (vv. 5-8)
1. After celebrating the spiritual blessing of forgiveness, the psalmist's focus shifts to God's powerful work in the world.
He begins by saying that God answers our prayers "by terrible things in righteousness." The word "terrible" here doesn't mean something horrific, but something that inspires awe, fear, and wonder. It is God's power displayed in a way that reminds us of His sovereignty.
2. Where do we see this power?
a. In His control over creation. "Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people." In the ancient world, the sea was often a symbol of chaos and uncontrollable forces. But God, with a word, can quiet its waves and its roaring. He is the master of the storms, both of nature and of humanity. The "tumult of the people"—the raging of nations, the chaos of human conflict—is no match for His voice. This is a comfort to us. The world may rage and storm, but God is in complete control.
b. It is seen in the quiet regularity of creation. "They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice." Even those in the most remote corners of the earth are filled with awe when they see God’s signs. And what are those signs? The rising of the sun and the setting of the sun—the "outgoings of the morning and evening." The regular, faithful cycle of day and night is not just a scientific phenomenon; it is an act of God that makes the whole earth rejoice. It is a daily, reliable promise of His goodness.
III. The Provision That Overflows (vv. 9-13)
1. The final section is a beautiful, detailed poem about God's intimate care for the earth.
The psalmist moves from the vastness of the seas to the intimacy of a farmer's field. "Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it."
The phrase "thou visitest the earth" suggests a God who is not distant or removed, but one who comes down to personally inspect and care for His creation. The "river of God" is not a physical river, but a metaphor for the heavenly supply of rain. It is a river that is never-ending, always full, and always ready to pour out its blessings. God prepares the earth for the corn, ensuring that everything is ready for the seed to grow.
2. The images multiply, painting a picture of overwhelming generosity:
"Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof." He doesn't just provide; He provides with an abundance that settles the earth and makes it soft. The result of this loving care is a year "crowned" with God's goodness. A crown is a symbol of royalty, victory, and honor. God’s loving provision is the crowning glory of the year.
3. The psalm ends with the entire creation bursting into praise
"The pastures of the wilderness do drop fatness. And the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing." Even the remote wilderness, the hills, and the valleys sing and shout for joy. They are covered not just with vegetation, but with clothing and singing. This is a picture of the earth itself joining in a symphony of praise, a testament to God's life-giving power.
So let us be like the people in this psalm. Let our praise be rooted in the forgiveness we have received. Let us be in awe of God's power in the vastness of creation and in the simple, daily cycles of our lives. And let us be grateful for His abundant provision, knowing that He not only saves our souls but also cares for our daily needs. Let us join the earth in shouting for joy and singing His praises. Amen.
