Psalm 65

Psalm 65
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Psalm 65. Artist: Adrian Ludwig Richter (1803–1884). In: Für's Haus – "Sommer" (between 1858 and 1861), Verlag von Alphons Dürr, Leipzig 1905
Book	Book of Psalms
Hebrew Bible part	Ketuvim
Order in the Hebrew part	1
Category	Sifrei Emet
Christian Bible part	Old Testament
Order in the Christian part	19

Psalm 65 is the 65th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 64.

Background[]

Psalm 65 begins a group of four psalms which are hymns of thanksgiving, in contrast to preceding psalms which are laments.^[1] It begins in the style of a prayer, transitions to a description of God, and concludes with praise to God.^[2][3]

The Jerusalem Bible suggests it is set "after a good year with plentiful rain".^[4]

Text[]

Hebrew Bible version[]

Following is the Hebrew text of Psalm 65:^[5]

King James Version[]

Psalm 65 in Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 101v - Psalm LXIV (Vulgate) the Musée Condé, Chantilly.

1. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5. By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6. Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7. Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
10. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
11. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
12. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Verse 1[]

Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion;

And to You the vow shall be performed.^[6]

Some versions make reference to silence in this verse, for example the New American Standard Bible:

There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, God,

And the vow will be fulfilled for You.^[7]

Uses[]

Judaism[]

• This psalm is recited on Yom Kippur, and at Shmini Atzeret in some traditions.^[8]
• Verse 5 is recited by those present at a brit milah.^[9]

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the 12th day of the month.^[10]

References[]

Works cited[]

• Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar (2005). "Psalm 65". In Baltzer, Klaus (ed.). Psalms 2: A Commentary on Psalms 51–100. Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. Translated by Maloney, Linda M. Augsburg Fortress. pp. 137–142. ISBN 978-0-8006-6061-1.
• Wallace, Howard N. (2001). "Jubilate Deo omnis terra: God and Earth in Psalm 65". In Habel, Norman C. (ed.). The Earth Story in the Psalms and the Prophets. Bloomsbury. pp. 51–64. ISBN 978-1-84127-087-6.

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Psalm 65.

• Psalm 65 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
• Psalm 65 King James Bible - Wikisource