Psalm 65:5

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 65:5

By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us ,.... Not by afflictive dispensations of Providence, which, though disagreeable to flesh and blood, and are sometimes terrible to good men, when they apprehend the wrath of God in them, and look upon them as punishments for sin; yet these are consistent with the love of God to them, are for their spiritual good, and, when viewed in this light, they rejoice and glory in them; but as afflictions are not prayed for, nor to be prayed for,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:5

By terrible things in righteousness - The Vulgate joins this clause to the preceding verse: "Thy holy temple is wonderful in right eousness: thou wilt hear us, O God of our salvation." But the psalmist may refer to those wonderful displays of God's providence in the change of seasons, and fertilization of the earth; and, consequently, in the sustenance of all animal beings. The confidence of all the ends of the earth - Thou art the hope of thy people scattered through different parts of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 65:5

Verse 5 5Terrible things (453) in righteousness wilt thou answer to us He proceeds to illustrate, although in a somewhat different form, the same point of the blessedness of those who are admitted into the temple of God, and nourished in his house. He declares that God would answer his people by miracles or fearful signs, displaying his power; as if he had said, in deliverances as wonderful as those which he wrought for their fathers when they went out of Egypt. It is in no common or ordinary... 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 65:5

By terrible things in righteousness ( i.e. "by terrible acts of righteous judgment upon our enemies") wilt thou answer us. This is a sequel to Psalms 65:2 . As God hears prayer and answers it, so when his people cry to him for protection and deliverance from their foes, the result can only be righteous judgments of a fearful character upon the persecutors. O God of our salvation; i.e. God through whom we obtain salvation. Who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth (see the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 65:5

By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us - That is, By things suited to inspire us and all people with awe, or with a deep sense of thy majesty, thy power, and thy glory. The answer to their prayers would be in such a manner as deeply to impress their minds and hearts. God’s judgments on his foes, and the manner of his manifesting his favor to his people, would be such as to impress the mind with a deep sense of his own greatness. Yet all this would be in righteousness; in the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 65:5

Psalms 65:5. By terrible things, &c. Or, in a terrible manner; that is, so as to strike thy people with a holy awe and reverence of thee, and of thy judgments, and thine enemies with dread and horror. The Chaldee renders the word, נוראת , noraoth, here used, in a wonderful manner. This may be understood of the rebukes which God, in his providence, sometimes gives to his own people; he often answers them by wonderful and terrible events, for the awakening and quickening of... 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

Group of Brands