Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 65:6-13

That we may be the more affected with the wonderful condescensions of the God of grace, it is of use to observe his power and sovereignty as the God of nature, the riches and bounty of his providential kingdom. I. He establishes the earth and it abides, Ps. 119:90. By his own strength he setteth fast the mountains (Ps. 65:6), did set them fast at first and still keeps them firm, though they are sometimes shaken by earthquakes. --Feriuntque summos. Fulmina montes. The lightning blasts and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 65:11

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ,.... The whole circling year, from one end of it to the other; particularly that season of it when the harvest is gathered in; the seed being sown, the earth watered, the springing of it blessed, and the corn brought to perfection, the year is crowned with a plentiful harvest: this may denote the acceptable year of the Lord, the year of the redeemed, the whole Gospel dispensation, Isaiah 61:2 ; in certain seasons and periods of which there have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:11

Thou crownest the year - A full and plentiful harvest is the crown of the year; and this springs from the unmerited goodness of God. This is the diadem of the earth; עטרת ittarta , Thou encirclest, as with a diadem. A most elegant expression, to show the progress of the sun through the twelve signs of the zodiac, producing the seasons, and giving a sufficiency of light and heat alternately to all places on the surface of the globe, by its north and south declination (amounting to 23° 28'... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:11

Verse 11 11Thou crownest the year with thy goodness (461) Some read — Thou crownest the year of thy goodness; as if the Psalmist meant that the fertile year had a peculiar glory attached to it, and were crowned, so to speak, by God. Thus, if there was a more abundant crop or vintage than usual, this would be the crown of the year. And it must be granted that God does not bless every year alike. Still there is none but what is crowned with some measure of excellency; and for that reason it would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:1-13

Harvest thanksgiving. The three great Jewish feasts had reference to the harvest. The Passover was kept early in the year, when the barley harvest was begun, and a sheaf of the firstfruits was offered as a thank offering (Le 23:10). Fifty days later came Pentecost, when the wheat was ripe; and then two loaves of the new corn were presented (Le 23:17). Last of all was the Feast of Tabernacles, when the fruits of the earth had been gathered in, and the people gave thanks and rejoiced before... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 65:1-13

Reasons for praising God. "Can hardly doubt that this psalm was composed on the occasion of an abundant harvest, and was intended to be sung as a hymn of thanksgiving by the whole congregation gathered before God in Zion." God is praised under three aspects. I. AS THE GOD OF THE CHURCH . ( Psalms 65:1-5 .) "Whom thou choosest, and causest to approach." 1 . He is the Hearer of all true prayer. ( Psalms 65:2 .) "Unto thee doth all flesh come" in dependence and... 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 65:11

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 65:11

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness - Margin, the year of thy goodness. The Hebrew is literally the year of thy goodness - meaning a year remarkable for the manifestation of kindness; or a year of abundant productions. But the Hebrew will admit of the other construction, meaning that God crowns or adorns the year, as it revolves, with his goodness; or that the harvests, the fruits, the flowers of the year are, as it were, a crown set on the head of the year. The Septuagint renders it,... read more

Group of Brands