Um….Loving this psalm! Is it too early for favourite bits? Silence and obedience is praise to God (v1 The Message) and also the image of the earth dancing (v9), it’s brilliant. Read Psalm 65 once and you get a little smile on your face, read it twice and you can almost (but not fully) start to get a picture of God’s infinite love for us. It’s downright encouraging. Not a word about delivering from enemies or lying among ravenous beasts!
My interpretation of this passage is twofold. David prays with an expectant heart, he says “we are filled with the good things of your house” (v4) and no matter what version of Bible you read, you can sense his overwhelming gratitude. It’s faith-filled and thankful.
To me, this psalm also describes how I sometimes feel when I’m singing and entering into God’s presence. Not everyone feels the same way and I certainly don’t feel it all the time, but every now and then, when I stand to worship God, I close my eyes and raise my hands… I can really sense God’s perfect peace close to me. Almost like ‘he stills the roaring seas’ (v7) inside me and I know whole heartedly that ‘He IS the hope that extends to all the ends of the earth’ (v5). That God is (as The Message describes) Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, and Hill-Dresser!
Be encouraged as you read this week to celebrate God’s goodness. The beauty in his created earth and the promises that speak so clearly throughout this psalm. God brings joy, hope, peace and forgiveness. He hears our prayers and provides for our needs. He blesses us abundantly and for all these things…. We shall shout for joy and sing!
– Sera McCulloch