Psalm 65:8-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:8

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid of thy tokens; i.e. they see thy tokens—indications of thy mighty power—and are filled with awe. Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening (or, the portals of morn and eve —the gateways through which the sun comes forth each morning and retires each evening) to rejoice; i.e. to gladden mankind, to spread joy and gladness over the earth. The splendour of sunrise and sunset are in the poet's mind. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:9

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it (comp. Job 36:27 , Job 36:28 ; Job 37:6 ; Job 38:26-28 ; Psalms 147:1-20 :28; Jeremiah 5:24 ; Matthew 5:45 ). Thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God. There is no "with" in the original; and the two clauses are better taken separately. Translate, Thou greatly enrichest it; the river of God is full of water. By "the river of God" is to be understood God's store of water in the clouds and atmosphere, which he can at any time... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:9

Thanksgiving for corn. "Thou preparest them corn." I. BECAUSE IT IS THE SPECIAL GIFT OF GOD TO MAN . It came from God at first. It is renewed year by year. Wherever man dwells it may be cultivated in some form or other. "How it stands, that yellow corn, on its fair taper stems, its golden head bent, all rich and waving there! The mute earth at God's kind bidding has produced it once again—man's bread" (Luther). II. BECAUSE IT IS INDISPENSABLE TO THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:9-13

In conclusion, the psalmist praises God for his bountiful providence with respect to the harvest. According to some, the whole poem is essentially a harvest thanksgiving, and the poet now "comes at last to the point aimed at from the first." He traces the whole process by which the glorious termination is arrived at. First, the "early rain" descending from "the river of God," or the reservoir for rain which God guards in the heavens ( Job 38:37 ), moistening the furrows, softening the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:10

Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly; rather, the furrows (Hengstenberg, Kay, Cheyne, Revised Version). Thou settlest the furrows thereof; rather, thou smoothest down its ridges. So covering up the grain, and bringing the rough ploughed land to a comparatively smooth surface. Thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. The whole ground being softened with warm showers, the springing of the blade begins under God's blessing. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:11

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness. As God had begun, so he goes on to the "crowning" of the whole. And thy paths drop fatness. As he moves about, visiting the earth ( Psalms 65:9 ), there drop from him fertility and abundance. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:11

The lessons of harvest. "Thou crownest the year," etc. Men see what they have eyes to see. The farmer looks on the field of golden grain, ripe for the sickle, and sees the reward of his toil and return for his capitol. The painter sees a glorious subject for a picture. The economist thinks of prices, averages, national prosperity. The devout Christian sees God's hand opening to answer the prayer for daily bread. Now, it is one leading characteristic of the Scripture writers that they see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:12

They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; rather, the pastures of the wilderness drip with it; i.e. with the "fatness" which is shed from God's presence. And the little hills rejoice on every side; literally, are girded with joy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:13

The pastures are clothed with flocks; or, with their flocks; i.e. the flocks befitting them. The valleys also are covered over with corn. The great open sweeps between the ranges of hills are completely covered over with grain crops, wheat, barley, millet; and the result is that they seem to shout for joy, they also sing. This is better than the rendering of Ewald and Delitzsch, "Man shouts for joy; he sings." All the poets personify Nature, and make her sympathize with human kind... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 65:8

They also that dwell in the utter-most parts - That is, Those who dwell in the remotest regions; far from civilized lands; far from those places where people are instructed as to the causes of the events which occur, and as to the being and character of the great God who performs these wonders. The idea is, that even they see enough of the evidences of the divine presence and power to fill their minds with awe. In other words, there are in all lands evidences of the Divine existence and might.... read more

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