Psalms 65

Ps 65 This psalm recounts the reasons why all people should praise and revere God for his almighty power and merciful care for his universe.65:1-3 Praise is the appropriate response to God’s majestic deeds in redemption (65:3-5) and in nature (65:5-13).65:1 God alone deserves praise and is worthy to have vows made to him.

65:2 All of us means all humans.

65:3 you forgive: God graciously removes the guilt of sin (see 32:5).

65:4 those you choose to bring near: This includes people from Israel and from other nations. • Only those whom God sees as blameless live in his holy courts (Pss 15 and 24). • At the Temple, God’s earthly palace, all nations can gather to experience God’s holy presence. No structure can separate humans from God (see Rev 21:22).

65:6-7 God brought order to the mountains, the raging oceans, and the pounding waves (see Pss 95:4-5; 104:6-9). • The psalmist compares the chaotic forces of nature with the rebellion of the nations (see 2:1-12; 33:6-11; 46:6).

65:8 All over the world (Job 38:13; see Ps 50:1-3), people should stand in awe of the Lord.

65:9-13 The created order provides clear evidence of God’s power (65:6-8). He shows his love by maintaining nature. Everything praises the Lord as all the parts fit together harmoniously.65:9 The river of God and all rivers demonstrate God’s victorious power and goodness through the order in nature and the regularity of the harvests (see 1:3; 36:8; 46:4; Ezek 47:6-12; Zech 14:8; Rev 22:1).

65:13 Nature bursts out in praise of the Creator (see 79:13; 96:11-13; 148:3-5, 7-12; Isa 55:12-13).