Reflections on Psalms 65

 Psalms 65(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A psalm by David and a song for the music leader.) Our God, you deserve praise in Zion, where we keep our promises to you.
   
2. Everyone will come to you because you answer prayer.
   
3. Our terrible sins get us down, but you forgive us.
   
4. You bless your chosen ones, and you invite them to live near you in your temple. We will enjoy your house, the sacred temple.
   
5. Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice! You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea.
   
6. You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place.
   
7. You silence the roaring waves and the noisy shouts of the nations.
   
8. People far away marvel at your fearsome deeds, and all who live under the sun celebrate and sing because of you.
   
9. You take care of the earth and send rain to help the soil grow all kinds of crops. Your rivers never run dry, and you prepare the earth to produce much grain.
   
10. You water all of its fields and level the lumpy ground. You send showers of rain to soften the soil and help the plants sprout.
    
11. Wherever your footsteps touch the earth, a rich harvest is gathered.
    
12. Desert pastures blossom, and mountains celebrate.
    
13. Meadows are filled with sheep and goats; valleys overflow with grain and echo with joyful songs.

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This psalm of David is a song of harvest blessing, celebrating God's goodness to His people. It celebrates not only God's provision of an abundant harvest but of God's atonement of sin, and His awesome power. No petitions for God's help are found in this psalm, only praise.

David was so overwhelmed at God's goodness he was convinced "All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer." (65:2) Who would not want to join in receiving God's blessings? Only God "can atone for our rebellions." "How happy is the one You choose and bring near to live in Your courts!" (65:3, 4) In response to our prayers "You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works." He is the "God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas." (65:5) Look at what He is capable of: "You establish the mountains by Your power, robed with strength; You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations." (65:6-7) This is the God David worshipped, and the God we worship if we so choose. There is nothing He is incapable of. Why would we look to anything or anyone else?

All of this, expressed in verses 1-8, leads up to the main event - celebration of God's provision of an abundant harvest. Read David's description of God's provision of harvest:
Psa 65:9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God's stream is filled with water, for You prepare the earth in this way, providing people with grain.
Psa 65:10 You soften it with showers and bless its growth, soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges.
Psa 65:11 You crown the year with Your goodness; Your ways overflow with plenty.
Psa 65:12 The wilderness pastures overflow, and the hills are robed with joy.
Psa 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys covered with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.

David and the other worshipers gathered annually to remember that their harvest was not by chance or any other source, but was from God alone. It is good for us to do the same, remembering periodically that all we have, God has provided. Sure, we may have worked hard and may have exercised great skills and wisdom in acquiring what we have, but who gave us these skills and understanding? Who brought circumstances together to make possible what we gained? Who made us and made the things we have acquired?