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 65:9

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it ,.... So the Lord looked upon the earth, quickly after its formation, before rain came upon it, and he watered the whole face of the ground, Genesis 2:5 ; so he cared for the land of Judea in particular, and watered it with the rain of heaven, Deuteronomy 11:11 ; see 2 Samuel 21:1 ; to which some think reference is had here; and so he visits and waters the whole earth in general, at certain times and seasons, Acts 14:16 ; this may be applied... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:9

Thou visitest the earth - God is represented as going through the whole globe, and examining the wants of every part, and directing the clouds how and where to deposit their fertilizing showers, and the rivers where to direct their beneficial courses. The river of God - Some think the Jordan is meant; and the visiting and watering refer to rain after a long drought. But the clouds may be thus denominated, which properly are the origin of rivers. Thou preparest them corn - Or, Thou... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:9

Verse 9 9.Thou hast visited the earth, and watered it This and the verbs which follow denote action continually going forward, and may therefore be rendered in the present tense. The exact meaning of the second verb in the sentence has been disputed. Some derive it from the verb שוק, shuk, signifying to desire; and giving this meaning, that God visits the earth after it has been made dry and thirsty by long drought. (456) Others derive it from the verb שקה, shakah, signifying to give drink.... 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

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 65:9

Thou visitest the earth - God seems to come down that he may attend to the needs of the earth; survey the condition of things; arrange for the welfare of the world which he has made; and supply the needs of those whom he has created to dwell upon it. See the notes at Psalms 8:4.And waterest it - Margin, After thou hadst made it to desire rain. This difference between the translations in the text and in the margin can be accounted for by the various meanings of the original word. The Hebrew term... read more

Group of Brands