Psalms 65

David praiseth God, first because of the spiritual gifts which he doth pour out upon his Church in Christ, in whom as Gods true temple, the prayers are heard, their sins forgiven, and all his grace richly communicated: and then for the temporal blessings likewise, and the mercies and benefits which he imparteth unto mankind in general, both by governing of the world, and by the abundance of bodily necessities.

1. A Psalm of David, a song (or hymn) [See Psa.48.v.1.] for the chief song-master. [see Psa.4.on v.1.]

2. The praise-song is (in) stillness to thee O God in Zion: [Or is silent, i.e. in thy church thou art praised with still and quiet, or patient waiting, and taking heed and notice of thy favours and benefits. Compare Psa.62.on v.2.] and to thee, the vow shall be paid[viz. of thanksgiving, which was vowed to thee in distress. See in the next Psalm v.13.14. and above Psa.61.on v.5.]

3. Thou hearest prayer, [Or thou that hearest payer, or, O thou hearer of prayer] to thee all flesh shall come [i.e. all sorts and conditions of mankind. Compare Gen.6.12. Psa.145.21. Joel 2:28. Acts 2:17. so this may be taken as a prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles unto God. Oth. (therefore) cometh all flesh i.e. do all sorts of men use to repair and come to thee, namely because thou art so graciously in hearing of prayers.]

4. Unrighteous things had the upper hand over me. [Heb. Words, or things, matters of iniquity were more powerful, or mightier then I. This may be applied either to Sauls reign or to Absaloms rebellion, and withal as a confession of Gods people, touching the sins, which lying sometimes under in the spiritual combated, they may have commited during the same] (but) our transgressions, them thou doest expiate. [or thou coverest them graciously, thou forgives them, for the propitiation of the Messiah. Compare Dan.9.24. and Lev.1.on v.4. The Hebrew wood seems to have regard to the expiration-cover, that was upon the Ark of the covenant (Exod.25.17,18.) being a type of the expiation, or reconciliation of our Lord Jesus Christ.]

5. Right happy is he (whom) thou chusest, and makest to draw near, that he (may) dwell in thy courts; [See 1 Chron.33.on v.5. and Heb.12.22, &c. And Ephes.2,19.] we shall be satisfied with the good of thine house, [see above Psa.63.on v.6. and 36.on v.9.] (with) the holy of thy palace. [or holy things, as offerings, &c. Looking upon the Messiah. Oth. Holy (place) sanctuary, in the sequel, palace, i.e. the Tabernacle. See Psa.5.on v.8.]

6. Fearful things shalt thou in righteousness answer us O God of our salvation; [Answering our prayers out of thy sanctuary, and giving a sign from heaven against our enemies, in assurance of thy hearing; both striking awe and fear in all, and well agreeing withy thy righteousness. See Num.7.89. Psa.3.5. and 18.7,8,&c.] O confidence of all (the) ends of the Earth and the remote (on) the Sea. [this may be understood thus, that all men in the world must have their sustenance, safeguard and assistance from God, if they shall subsist at all. Compare Psa.104.27. &c. Or it may be taken of the saving confindence in God, in regard of the calling of the Gentiles to the faith in Christ. See Isa.42.4,5,6, &c.]

7. That establisheth (or setteth fast) the mountains through his power, being encompassed with might.

8. That stilleth the roaring of the seas; the roaring of their waves, and the uproar of the nations.

9. And they that dwell upon the ends, fear before (or stand in fear of) thy tokens; thou makest the issues (or forth-comings) of the morning and the evening to shout. [i.e. it cometh of thee, that we enjoy any cheerful morning and evening.]

10. Thou visitest the Land, [i.e. thou dost well by the Land, or Ground, Earth, by thy liberal blessing as followeth. Compare Deut, Deut.11.12. and see Gen.21.on v.1.] and having made it desirous [or greedy, i.e. thirsty after rain. Oth. Thou art well inclined, or well affected to it. Others renders it thou waterest it, taking the Hebrew word from another root] enriches it greatly; the River of God is full of water. [Thus the Prophet calleth Gods rain, which he sendeth to make the ground fruitful; or the clouds whence he sendeth down the rain. Some do take the word God here, as added for the expression of a plentiful and abundant rain; as we have elsewhere, mountain and Cedar-trees of God; i.e. very high great and tall ones. Comp. Deut.11.10,11.] When thou hast prepared it thus, [viz. The land or ground,] thou makest their corn ready. [viz. Mens for their sustenance and livelihood.]

11. Thou makest its plowed up earth [Of the Hebrew word, signifying in the opinion of many, the high ridges betwixt two furrows, cast up and standing out above the rest of the ground; See Job 31.on v.38.] drunken; [i.e. thou waterest and sprinklest the same abundantly with rain.] thou causest it to descend (in) its furrows: thou softness it [Hebr. Thou meltest, dissolvest it, viz, the earth or ground] by the drops, [i.e. the dropping rain, or, close rain, shower. The Hebrew word comes from multitude or bigness of the drops] thou blesses its sprouting.

12. Thou crownest the year [Beautifying and adorning every part of the year with special blessings.] of thy goodness; [i.e. thy good year, which aboundeth or runs even over with thy blessings and benefits, as bill of thine holiness and the like] and thy footsteps [Hebr. Cart-ruts or, tracks, in thy paths. As if he had said, Where ever thou comest or goest or passest along, there thou leavest a blessing behind. Compare Joel 2:14. or thy tracks, i.e. thy clouds, whereup thou ridest as upon a chariots, Psalm 104. See likewise Job 36:28. and 38.26,27.] drop of fatness. [or drop fatness.]

13. They be-drop the pastures of the wilderness: [As Psalms 23:2. oth. The huts, or tents of the wilderness drop] and the little hills are girded with rejoicing. [being refreshed and made flourishing with grass by the rain, which makes them look cheerfully and smilingly as it were, on man. See Job 8.on v.18.]

14. The fields are clothed with flocks, and the vallies are covered with corn; they shout, they sing also.