Psalm 65:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 65:1-5

The psalmist here has no particular concern of his own at the throne of grace, but begins with an address to God, as the master of an assembly and the mouth of a congregation; and observe, I. How he gives glory to God, Ps. 65:1. 1. By humble thankfulness: Praise waiteth for thee, O God! in Zion, waits till it arrives, that it may be received with thankfulness at its first approach. When God is coming towards us with his favours we must go forth to meet him with our praises, and wait till the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 65:4

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest ,.... In eternity; both to grace and glory; for such have true faith in Christ given them, called the faith of God's elect, and shall never perish: they are effectually called by the grace of God, and are justified by the righteousness of Christ, and shall be glorified; or in time, for there is a choice in time, as the fruit, effect, and evidence of the eternal choice, and is no other than effectual calling; see John 15:19 , 1 Corinthians 1:26 ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:4

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest - This is spoken in reference to the priests who were chosen of God to minister at the tabernacle; and who were permitted to approach, draw nigh, to the Divine Majesty by the various offerings and sacrifices which they presented. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house - Though we are not priests, and have not the great felicity to minister before thee in holy things; yet we can worship at thy temple, feel the outpouring of thy Spirit,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:4

Verse 4 4.Blessed is the man whom thou hast chosen Having already acknowledged that the people had separated themselves from God by their sins, and forfeited all right to be heard, he now takes refuge in the free grace of God, which secures the remission of sin amongst other blessings. He thus casts an additional light upon what he had said on the point of guilt being purged away, by pointing to the cause of God, as being favorable to poor sinners, which can only be found in his fatherly love... 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 65:4

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest. The "choosing" intended is certainly not that of the seed of Aaron (Le Psalms 8:1 ), or of the seed of Levi ( Numbers 18:21-23 ), but that act by which God "chose" Israel out of all the nations of the earth to be "a special people unto himself" ( Deuteronomy 7:6 ), and gave them a distinct position, and peculiar privileges. And causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts. Among the peculiar privileges, one of the greatest was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 65:4

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest - That is, Happy is the man; or, “Oh, the happiness of the man whom thou dost thus permit to approach thee.” The construction here in the Hebrew is the same as in Psalms 1:1. See the notes at that passage. The word choosest refers to the fact that true piety regards all such blessings as the result of the divine favor; the fruit of his electing grace and love. Compare the notes at Ephesians 1:3-4; notes at 1 Peter 1:2-3. We approach God with confidence,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 65:4

Psalms 65:4. Blessed is the man The particular person, how poor and mean soever; whom thou choosest To be one of thy peculiar people; and causest That is, permittest and commandest; and by the disposal of thy providence, and the influence of thy grace, inclinest and enablest, to approach unto thee To draw near to thee in thy house and ordinances, by prayer and praise, and other acts of communion with thee. That he may dwell in thy courts In the courts of thy house; may frequently... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 65:1-13

Psalms 65:0 Praise for harvest, fields and flocksAs they approach God, the worshippers are aware of their failures through sin. They realize that forgiveness is necessary before they can enjoy fulness of fellowship with God in his house (1-4). They recall his great acts, both in the events of history and in the natural creation, and see these as a reason for all people, from east to west, to shout for joy (5-8).Coming closer to home, the worshippers see God’s provision in the well-watered... read more

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