Psalm 65:intro

Psalm 65:Intro

Shout for joy to God

What a wonderful Psalm this is, coming as it does, at the end of a long series of songs that deal with the devious and wicked actions and words of David’s enemies. There will be more of that to come, but we must now stop for a moment and sing out the praises of our God who shows incredible goodness and kindness to His people. Those complaining prayers that we have studied have been heard, they did not fall on empty ears, the Lord hears our cries, and He answers from heaven.

In Psalm 65 David expresses praise because the people’s sins are forgiven and so they are able to draw near to the Lord. v1-4. He praises God because there is peace and security in the land of Israel. v5-8. And finally, the Psalm offers praise because the Land of Promise has delivered and has become a land of abundance. v9-13. All this is the Lord’s doing and He is greatly to be praised.

 

v1        The Psalm opens with a couple of profound statements. Let’s take them one at a time. Firstly, the literal translation of, “Praise awaits You, our God, in Zion” is “Praise is silently waiting for You in Zion.” David paints a picture here of the scenes in Jerusalem where the people await the coming of their God. Everything is prepared, the sacred Holy Place is ready for the presence of Elohim. The crowds gather in anticipation, with bated breath, and they will erupt into exclamations of joy and thanksgiving when the King of Glory comes to His holy hill on Zion. We too, await the coming of our King and when He arrives there will be loud expressions of praise and exaltation from His adoring people.

Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle!

Psalm 24:7-8

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