Psalm 65

Introduction

“Welcome to Torah Today Ministries, and our continuing series, Tehillim Talks: Studies in the Psalms.

In this episode, we’re looking at, to me, one of the most lush and beautiful Psalms of the entire 150—it’s Psalm 65.

I had looked at this Psalm before, of course, many times, but wow, did it ever just make an impression on my heart and my mind this time through.

And I hope it does with you as well.”

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Setting: A Song in Dark Times

• Psalm 65 begins with: “To the Choir Master, a Psalm of David, a song.”
• Not all of the Psalms are considered songs. Why is David singing here?

“If you’ve been following along, these Psalms in the 60s—62, 63, 64—they’ve been pretty tough.

He’s been pursued by Saul and his armies. He’s a marked man. He’s being sought out to be killed.

And yet here in Psalm 65, even though David refers to the problems that are washing over him, his soul is just bursting out in song. It’s an amazing thing.

It brings up a question: How do we deal with times in our lives when everything seems dark, pressing in on us, bleak, falling apart?”

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The Key: Perspective

“Perspective is the key word here.

It’s been proven that when people are under stress, if they’re being attacked, they develop tunnel vision—it’s like looking through a tube. They block out everything around them.

Military and police are trained to expand their perception and peripheral vision, so they don’t lose sight of their surroundings.

That is good spiritual advice as well. If everything looks bleak to you right now, here’s what you do: expand your perspective. Stretch out the borders of your perceptions and look at the bigger picture.”

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Songs in the Bible

“David does this here. And as I was preparing, I thought about songs in the Bible. Special events are often celebrated with a song.

How many can you think of? Pause if you like and make a list.

The five that always come to my mind are:

1. Song of the Sea – Exodus 15, after crossing the Red Sea.
2. Song of Moses – Deuteronomy 32 (sung fully in Revelation).
3. Song of Songs – Solomon’s great and spiritual book.
4. Song of Deborah and Barak – Judges 5.
5. Song of Moses and the Lamb – a duet in Revelation 15.”

Question: What other songs of the Bible come to your mind?

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What Makes a Song Special

• Words are physical. They describe events and places.
• But when words are put to melody—a spiritual force—the physical and spiritual are married.
• This is the beauty of music.

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Verses 1–4: Silence as Praise

Verse 1: “To you, silence is praise, O God in Zion.”

• The Hebrew: L’cha dumia tehillah.
• Dumia = silence.
• Silence itself is praise to God.

“Music has notes but also rests. Without rests, the music would collapse. Silence is as much part of the music as the sound.

In Psalm 62 (vv. 1, 5), the same word dumia is used: ‘For God alone my soul waits in silence.’”

Application:

• There’s a time to express, and a time to be still.
• Both are praise.

Verse 2–3:

• “To you, a vow is fulfilled, O hearer of prayer.”
• David may mean: In all his stress, he remembered the vow he made to follow God, no matter the cost. That vow brought peace.
• God does hear prayer—even sinners crying out in repentance.

Verse 3:

• “When matters of iniquities prevail over me, you atone for our transgression.”
• Note: Iniquities is plural; transgression is singular.
• Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch: This one verse “encompasses the entire history of mankind.”

Verse 4:

• “Contented is the one you choose and bring near; he shall dwell in your courts.”
• David pictures the tabernacle and temple spiritually, even though he could not enter physically.
• The earthly tabernacle was a schematic of spiritual reality.

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Verses 5–8: God Over the Nations

• “By awesome deeds, you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation…”
• He is the hope of the ends of the earth, who stills the seas and the tumult of the nations.

The Word Shabbach (v. 7)

• Can mean both “to calm” and “to praise.”
• Examples:
• Psalm 80:9 – God stills the seas.
• Proverbs 29:11 – The wise calm their spirit.
• Psalm 63:3 – Lips will praise (Shabbach).
• Psalm 117:1 – “Praise Adonai, all nations.”
• Insight: Sometimes the best praise is silence.

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Verses 9–13: Abundance and Peace

Contrast: Earlier waters = turmoil.

Now, waters = life, blessing, and growth.

“You visit the earth and water it… crown the year with your bounty… the pastures overflow… meadows clothe themselves with flocks… valleys deck themselves with grain.”

• Even silence in nature—the wind in the grass, the bleating of sheep—is praise.
• The Psalm ends in a serene picture of peace on earth.

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Final Notes: Shemini Atzeret

• Psalm 65 is traditionally read on Shemini Atzeret (Leviticus 23; Numbers 29).
• Eighth day following Sukkot → number of resurrection, renewal, world to come.
• The Psalm fits this theme: abundance, renewal, peace.

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Closing Reflection

• David expanded his vision beyond persecution to see God’s big picture.
• Storms are temporary; peace is eternal.
• Key Hebrew words:
• Tova = goodness, bounty.
• Deshen = fatness, fullness, abundance.

“When you read this Psalm, think of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret.

Think of God’s abundance, peace, and renewal.

Until next time, I wish you shalom, and may God bless.”