← Chapter 64 Chapter 66 →

Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 65, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm {and} Song of David.] Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. {waiteth: Heb. is silent}
Psalms 65:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
Psalms 65:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: {as for} our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. {iniquities: Heb. Words, or, Matters of iniquities}
Psalms 65:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 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.
Psalms 65:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 {By} terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; {who art} the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off {upon} the sea:
Psalms 65:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; {being} girded with power:
Psalms 65:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
Psalms 65:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. {rejoice: or, sing}
Psalms 65:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 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. {and...: or, after thou hadst made it to desire rain}
10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. {settlest: or, causest rain to descend into} {makest...: Heb. dissolvest it}
Psalms 65:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. {with: Heb. of}
Psalms 65:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 They drop {upon} the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. {rejoice...: Heb. are girded with joy}
Psalms 65:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
Psalms 65:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.