Psalms 65
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. A PSALM AND SONG OF DAVID
[Psalms 65:1] PRAISE WAITETH FOR THEE, O GOD, IN SION: AND UNTO THEE SHALL THE
VOW BE PERFORMED.
<< PRAISE WAITETH >>: The word translated from the Hebrew as "WAITETH" is the
adjectival verb "Domiah" denoting "silence", literally "Silence is praise for
you". We are unable to adequately praise God. The translation of "Domiah" as
Waiting" in the KJ could receive some support from the Midrash (Midrash Tehilim)
where an associated is made between keeping silent, restraint, and waiting.
Isaiah 42:14 and 64:12 are cited.
We owe God thanks for creating us and helping us along the road. Consciously or
subconsciously everyone has asked the Almighty for help (as God himself commands
us to do) at some time or other and received it. It is as if we have vowed to
repay the Almighty when and if we ever can.
[Psalms 65:2] O THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER, UNTO THEE SHALL ALL FLESH COME.
God hears the prayers of everyone. We emphasize the uniqueness of Israel since
the Almighty reveals himself through Israel. Nevertheless the Almighty is the
creator of all flesh and he hears the prayers of everyone.
[Psalms 65:3] INIQUITIES PREVAIL AGAINST ME: AS FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, THOU
SHALT PURGE THEM AWAY.
Our sins sometimes overcome us. They prevent us from praying to God and from
bettering ourselves. Nevertheless the Almighty will help us clean ourselves so
that we can come closer to HIS service.
[Psalms 65:4] 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.
Sometimes a person feels a kind of spiritual enlightenment and knows intuitively
that the Almighty is showing favor to him. This does not happen every day
unless we make an effort and we cannot always do so. When such expeirences do
happen however we should realize that God is calling us and that this is an
opportunity to draw nearer to HIM.
[Psalms 65:5] 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:
<<THEM THAT ARE AFAR OFF UPON THE SEA>>: " veYam Rechokim" i.e. "And the Distant
Sea" or "The Distant West".
Midrash Tehillim: <<The gates of Prayer are sometimes open and sometimes barred
but the gates of repentance are never locked as it says, THE CONFIDENCE OF ALL
THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, AND OF THEM THAT ARE AFAR OFF UPON THE SEA. What is it
about the Sea that is never locked up but whoever wishes to bathe in it may do
so at whatever hour they wish to so too is it the same with Repentance. Whenever
a person wishes to repent they may do so and the Almighty accepts them?.[Other
Rabbis said] the Gates of Prayer are also never locked. A person who practices
kindness may be assured that their prayer is heard as it says SOW TO YOURSELVES
IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, REAP IN MERCY followed by the declaration FOR IT IS TIME TO
SEEK THE LORD [Hosea 10:12]. He [who does righteousness and] prays then God
answers him. He may be assured that his prayer is heard. .."IN THE MULTITUDE OF
THY MERCY HEAR ME, IN THE TRUTH OF THY SALVATION" [Psalms 69:13] [Praphrased
from thre Hebrew as also implying, see Biur HaRAM on the Midrash] WITH THE
KINDNESSES I DID ON YOUR BEHALF I WILL COME UNTO YOUR HOUSE, HEAR ME, IN THE
TRUTH OF THY SALVATION">>.
We are all Agents of the Almighty but we would rather not be too conscious of
it most of the time.
The Psalm means what it says at the simple level. God is available to all.
It may also be understood as referring to the Lost Ten Tribes at the
geographical extremities (ends) of the earth and the WEST (Hebrew: "YAM:
translatable as either SEA or WEST or both).
[Psalms 65:6] WHICH BY HIS STRENGTH SETTETH FAST THE MOUNTAINS; BEING GIRDED
WITH POWER:
[Psalms 65:7] WHICH STILLETH THE NOISE OF THE SEAS, THE NOISE OF THEIR WAVES,
AND THE TUMULT OF THE PEOPLE.
[Psalms 65:8] THEY ALSO THAT DWELL IN THE UTTERMOST PARTS ARE AFRAID AT THY
TOKENS: THOU MAKEST THE OUTGOINGS OF THE MORNING AND EVENING TO
REJOICE.
[Psalms 65:9] 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.
God has provided food and sustenance for us. We must strive to be worthy of
it.
[Psalms 65:10] THOU WATEREST THE RIDGES THEREOF ABUNDANTLY: THOU SETTLEST THE
FURROWS HEREOF: THOU MAKEST IT SOFT WITH SHOWERS: THOU BLESSEST THE SPRINGING
THEREOF.
[Psalms 65:11] THOU CROWNEST THE YEAR WITH THY GOODNESS; AND THY PATHS DROP
FATNESS.
[Psalms 65:12] THEY DROP UPON THE PASTURES OF THE WILDERNESS: AND THE LITTLE
HILLS REJOICE ON EVERY SIDE.
[Psalms 65:13] THE PASTURES ARE CLOTHED WITH FLOCKS; THE VALLEYS ALSO ARE
COVERED OVER WITH CORN; THEY SHOUT FOR JOY, THEY ALSO SING.
Shortly after lambs are born they jump about and spring up in the air. It is as
if they are rejoicing in their existence. The joy of the Almighty is present in
this world.
Theodore Herzl one of the early Zionist visionaries said: "If you will it, it is
no legend".
The Almighty will bless us. We must learn to accept HIS blessing and to enable
its fulfillment.
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