Psalms 65 and 66 are songs of praise. They were likely composed at the same time – likely at the end of the
year (see 65: 11). Both call upon Israel to praise God for his goodness toward them. Just as Israel had so
much to praise God for, so do we. We individually and collectively as the children of God in this country
have so many reasons to praise God for his blessings.
Let’s examine what the psalmist himself had in mind in these two psalms.
Material Prosperity
In Chapter 65:9-13, God is praised for blessing their crops and pastures. This allowed their grain and
flocks to flourish. God richly blessed them materially.
Since World War II, this country has enjoyed a prosperity unprecedented in world history. Compare our
standard of living with that of just a few years ago, to say nothing of that of a generation or two ago. I
tell my children that when I was growing up that we did not have wall-to-wall floors, to say nothing of
wall-to-wall carpet and that when you spoke of drywall, it meant that the roof was not leaking. Compare the
cars we drive and the clothes we wear with that of our parents and their parents before them. Think of the
things that we can now buy in the marketplace to make our lives more comfortable and pleasant that were not
available to anyone just a few years ago. Just think of the household appliances and electronics that most
of us have in our houses today. If we could have had them in my early childhood, we would not have had the
electricity to run them.
Congregations have prospered materially as well. Compare the buildings and other facilities with those of
just a few years ago, especially in rural communities. Central heating and air has replaced the old
potbellied stove, and the funeral home fans. The hard seats of yesteryear have been replaced with cushioned
pews. Paved parking lots have replaced the mud that surrounded many buildings. And state-of-the-art sound
systems allow us to hear those preachers and others who take a public part in our worship, who are not
blessed with a strong voice. Many churches, who could not afford full-time preachers to work with them in
the community, now have them. Brethren, we have been so richly blessed materially. Let us pray to God that
we have the sense and gratitude needed to use all these things wisely.
God’s Working in History
“He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in him.” (66:
6). I believe the psalmist is speaking of the deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea in the first phrase, and
the crossing of the Jordan into Canaan in the second phrase. I understand that God’s hand in these two
events was miraculous in nature. But when you look at the history of Israel as a whole you can see God’s
helping hand at work in their lives – both miraculously and providentially. Though the age of miracles
ceased with the complete revelation of God’s will for man by the end of the first century (1 Corinthians
13; Jude 3), God’s providence continues to work in the affairs of men (Matthew 6: 25-33; 1 Corinthians 10:
13).
I know that we cannot always point to a specific event today and know with absolute certainty that it is an
act of providence. But I do believe that the Bible clearly teaches that God’s providence continues to work
today in the affairs of men.
Would I be too presumptuous if I were to say that God’s providence has been at work in our own history as a
nation? Our forefathers were able to form a nation free of state-sponsored and state-imposed religion. This
was at a time when religious tyranny was rampant in Europe from one source or another. Such freedom to
worship provided an atmosphere for the “Restoration Movement” to become a reality and to thrive. Most of us
in America who are beneficiaries of the preaching of the pure gospel, whether we realize it or not, owe our
salvation to that movement. Of course, we understand that ultimately we owe our salvation to the gospel
which they preached and which the apostles preached before them – and to the Subject of that gospel, Jesus
Christ and him crucified for our sins and raised the third day of our justification (Romans 4: 25). But I
am sure that none of us can fathom the depth of God’s providence at work in history in order to put the
gospel into our hands.
God’s Refinement through Trials
In 66: 10-12, he says: “For You, O God, have tested us. You have refined us as silver is refined. You
brought us into the net; You laid affliction upon our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We
went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
The psalmist is saying to God, “You have refined us through trials and made us spiritually rich.” God has
always used adversity to purify and refine His people. That is the reason that James admonishes us to count
it all joy to fall into temptations and trials (James 1: 2-4). The chastisement or discipline that the
Hebrew writer spoke of in Chapter 12 is persecution that the Lord uses for his purposes of discipline,
according to the context of this passage. God can even use factions among brethren as a tool of refinement
for his church (1 Corinthians 11: 19). One should not tempt God by seeking trials, but when they come, God
uses them to his and our advantage. (Cf. Matthew 4: 6-7; 1 Corinthians 10: 13). This gives us reason to
“rejoice in tribulation.”
Spiritual Satisfaction
“Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. Blessed is
the man You choose, And cause to approach You. That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with
the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.” (65: 3-4). “Come and hear, all You who fear God, And I
will declare what he has done for my soul.” (66: 16).
Here the writer expresses his satisfaction with the goodness of God’s house and what God has done for his
soul. He declares that God had provided atonement (NKJ), forgiveness (ASV), or purging (KJV) for his sins.
Surely, today we are satisfied with the goodness and sufficiency of God’s house, the church (1 Timothy 3:
15) – at least, I would hope so.
God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. He has made each of us a part of his
spiritual house, of his holy nation, of his holy and royal priesthood, as his own special people (1 Peter
2: 5-9) – how can we not “bless our God!”
No wonder the psalmist said, “Make a joyful noise unto God ... (66: 1-2).
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