Joyful Praise in Psalm 65 Because He Hears

It’s no wonder a mourner is prone to call out in pain. We were made to know we are not an island. We need our Creator, and we need community. Difficult days call for biblical lament. Lament is turning to God and complaining to him. It is also making requests and trusting God.

“Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.” Psalm 65:1-2

It is no wonder the psalmist says, “O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.” Where else would he turn? We were made to turn to our God of Zion.

When evil rises up before us it is God who cleanses us from our sin. He blesses us by bringing us close to himself. God is with us so why wouldn’t we draw near to him? Why would we avoid dwelling in his courts? Satisfaction comes to our souls by turning to him and experiencing the goodness of his presence.

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.” Psalm 65:5-8

Our God is a god who answers. History is replete with would-be gods who disappoint. History is replete with experiences that promise joy but fail to deliver. God answers us with his awe-inspiring deeds. He is God of our salvation. He is the hope for all peoples in all places. He alone is the hope of the ends of the earth. He created in might, and he is sovereign over his creation. Be it roaring seas, waves, or people. His sovereignty will be known to the ends of the earth.

We spontaneously shout for joy. The nations rage but the saved erupt in joy. We who rejoice in God know that all good things come from his hand.

“You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65: 10-11

God nourishes the earth, and the earth bears fruit. Bountiful and abundant supply is ours to enjoy. Our pastures and hills overflow with exuberance. I’m reminded of Matthew 5:45 which reminds us, “…he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Abundance, showers, blessings, overflowing, and bounty are signs of the heart of God. Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider.

Creation overflows and the hills are clothed with joy. Meadows and valleys are blessed with bounty. Provision is everywhere. The God who provides for the whole of the world provides for you. He answers. No wonder all flesh comes to him.

Indeed, praise is due his name. Rocks, valleys, hills, mountains, and pastures shout and sing out for joy. We do the same. And even more so. We lift our joy-filled voices to praise his name. We gather as his church week after week to lift our voices in corporate worship. We rise each morning to praise him in our secret closets. He is worthy of all praise!

“O you who hear prayer,” praise your name!

“The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65:12-13