Psalms 65:1-13

Psalms 65

This Psalm was evidently composed on the occasion of an abundant harvest, and was doubtless intended to be sung at the feast of harvest, the joyous feast of tabernacles.

I. The abundant harvest is regarded as an answer to vows and prayers, and a token of pardoning mercy. (1) The people had appealed to God and addressed to Him their vows and supplications. (2) To vows and prayers they had joined humble and penitent confession of their sins. When the evil passed away from them, they felt themselves warranted to regard this as a sign that the contrite confession which they had honestly made would be graciously accepted, and the forgiveness which they had earnestly sought obtained.

II. The blessing of a good harvest is regarded in the Psalm as subordinate to spiritual privileges, and chiefly valuable because it is a sign of their continuance.

III. The abundant harvest is regarded as the type and pledge of a great national, or rather worldwide, deliverance or salvation. (1) That harvest-home sees the universal Church delivered from the anxieties and fears of her present work and warfare. (2) In that harvest-home the Church is admitted to nearer fellowship with God and fuller enjoyment of God. (3) In that harvest-home the Church obtains an explanation of all that has been dark and distressing in the Lord's dealings with her. (4) That harvest-home is the time of an abundant outpouring of the Spirit.

R. S. Candlish, The Gospel of Forgiveness,p. 197.

References: Psalms 65 R. S. Candlish, The Gospel of Forgiveness,p. 197. Psalms 66:2. J. O. Davies, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxv., p. 101; Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 274.