By Ben Quine

*This blog is part of our weekly, virtual Bible Study through the book of Psalms. For information on how to participate, please visit this page.

How are you doing? Please answer honestly. Maybe things are going great, and you’re on top of the world! Or maybe you’re going through hard times and in need of some comfort and divine intervention. Either way, Psalm 65 is for you.

This psalm is written in reverse order — the conclusion comes first. 

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. (Vs. 1)

After being reminded of the upcoming truth in this Psalm, we should be moved to praise God and fulfill our vows to Him — for most of us today that will mean keeping our commitment to dedicate our life to His will.

O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. (Vs. 2-3)

Foremost, God deserves praise because He hears our prayers and because He atones for our sin. Without this, we are hopelessly lost and under just condemnation. Remember, God removes our transgressions through Christ.

Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! (Vs. 4)

Secondly, God deserves praise because of His grace, which brings undeserving sinners into the overwhelming goodness of His presence. Remember His grace to bring you into His presence. Take a minute to think about the incredible blessing of salvation we have in Jesus:

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10)

The blessing of being near God — in His very presence — is overwhelmingly satisfying and praise-inducing! Let the awe of being in His presence weigh on you right now. Thank Him for it!

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; (Vs. 5)

What awesome deeds has God done in your life, or in the lives of your family members? How have His deeds caused you to grow in righteousness?

Maybe you’re struggling through difficult relationships with family or friends. Maybe you’re struggling with a loss of health or financial obstacles. Maybe you’re struggling with feelings of hopelessness. Remember, God  is our hope, and He will answer!

The one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, (Vs. 6-7)

God has demonstrated His mighty strength in the past. As Creator, He lifted the mountains and rules over the seas. He stills the peoples, and He can handle the problems that face you and me today. Remember God’s limitless power. If we will commit our ways to Him and trust Him to take care of our problems, He promises a glorious outcome:

So that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. (Vs. 8)

God’s interventions on your behalf will generate praise from the watching world. If you live in dependence on and submission to Him, the wonders He will perform in your life will inspire worship from those who don’t already know God.

But God delights to meet not just your spiritual needs:

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. (Vs. 9-13 ESV)

God is the great Provider. He is our loving Father, and He delights to overwhelm His children with abundant blessing! His water is life-giving. His river of water is unlimited. It allows food to grow, allows the work of the laborers to prosper, and sustains the life of the flocks. His rain is real, physical blessing that brings bounty, abundance, and joy. 

So, how are you doing?

This Psalm is a model for those who have experienced God’s blessing. Remember all that God has done for you, and tell others of His goodness and strength on your behalf.

This Psalm is also a model for those who are in need — when life seems impossible, when you need a miracle, when you need God to provide. When you have a mortgage you can’t pay, when you have unexpected dental bills or auto repair bills, when there hasn’t been rain and the land is dry, remember His power and provision. Recall God’s faithfulness in the past and the goodness of His character (which never changes!), and let it lead you into comfort and praise. Remember: God’s river never runs out of water.

Praise God in the midst of whatever circumstances surround you, because at all times He is worthy of praise. Remember His goodness and His mighty power. Pray prayers in faith for Him to draw you close to Himself, and for Him to provide you with spiritual and physical blessings. Thank Him for what He has done and what He is going to do. He is the God of our salvation.

Join us Monday mornings for our WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY

Does our weekly Psalms Bible Study bless you?

Have you thought about supporting Christians Engaged? We need YOU! We are supported by individual donors who invest in us to empower the Body of Christ to pray, vote, and engage.

Would you consider partnering with us as a monthly donor to support the work of our nonprofit ministry? Or maybe a generous one-time donation?