Verse 9
9. The psalmist having finished his contemplation of God’s work among the nations, (Psalms 65:5-8,) now turns to his providence in nature, in adapting its forces and the order of the seasons to the uses and wants of man.
Thou visitest the earth Thou hast visited the earth. The verb is in the preterite a fulfilment of the promise, Deuteronomy 11:11-12. But there is a special application of these descriptions to the season then present, as appears from the interchange of the past and future tenses of the verbs. The word visit, here, denotes a special visit, as if God came down in person to attend to the wants of the earth.
Thou… waterest it Causest the water to overflow it.
Greatly enrichest it The earth was barren before because of its dryness, but God’s showers have made it rich. Palestine and Arabia would now become fruitful with all the products suited to them, if well watered.
River of God Not any particular “river” or channel of Palestine, but a poetic expression for the fulness of those celestial waters which are sent down to enrich the earth by the wonderful provision of God.
Preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it A beautiful thought beautifully expressed. The verb prepare is repeated, to show that it is God who foresees and tenderly cares for our wants, and that the rain is his pledge of harvest. “Thou writ prepare their corn, because thus (for this end) thou wilt prepare the earth.”
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