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.”
Psalm 65 is the first of four psalms (Psalms 65-68) that focus on praising the Lord
for His manifold blessings in nature and for His gracious dealings with His
people. David wrote the previous Psalms, Psalms 52-64, during and about the
times that he was either fleeing from King Saul, or he was dealing with the
rebellion of his son Absolom. They are
Psalms where he is pleading and calling out to God for protection and
deliverance. It is fitting that Psalm 65 follows them, as it is a special Psalm
of praise and worship!
In verses 1-4, we see the grace of God, in providing atonement for our
transgressions (v. 3) and choosing us to approach Him to worship in the holy
sanctuary (v. 4). Jesus Christ is the only Savior and salvation for sinners.
The very first word of the Psalm is “Praise”. God created us to worship and praise Him! But
our “iniquities”, our sins and transgressions surround us and prevent us from
truly worshipping the Lord! (v. 3). But thank the Lord, God has provided an “atonement”
for them.
David was looking forward one-thousand years when he wrote: “You will provide
atonement for them”. David clearly saw the Messiah, Jesus Christ, suffering
on the cross and shedding His blood that would be sprinkled on the “Mercy Seat”
that sat on top of the “Ark of the Covenant” in the Most Holy Place! The Covenant, the Law, the Ten Commandments,
which was inside the Ark proves that we are sinners who have broken the Law.
The Law condemns us and demands the punishment of death for our sin.
But thank the Lord, the “Mercy Seat” provided atonement, a covering for our sin
before a holy and righteous God because a sacrifice was provided, and blood was
shed that was sprinkled on it. The blood of animals in the Old Testament could
only by faith provide a temporary picture of the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus
Christ, Who would shed His blood and once and for all, provide an eternal
atonement for the sin of the world. (Hebrews 7-10). How amazing that David writes about this here
in Psalm 65!
“Praise is awaiting You…”. The
opening phrase is translated literally, "To you praise is
silence," which doesn't convey very much. The New American Standard
Bible combines both: "There will be silence before Thee, and praise in
Zion, O God." The Hebrew word for "silence" is very similar
to the word for "fitting, proper," so some translate it, "Praise
is fitting for you," that is, "It is fitting that your people
praise you." But silence is also a part of worship, and we must learn
to wait quietly before the Lord (62:1).
We need to humble ourselves in repentance and get quiet enough for the Holy Spirit
to open our eyes to the wonderful atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross in our
place, as the only perfect Substitute for our sin! Only then “will we be
satisfied with the goodness of God in our worship and praise in His house, His
holy temple” (v. 4).
In verse 5-8, we see the government of God as He rules over all the nations of the
earth, and as He performs “awesome deeds in righteousness” (v. 5). God
wants all the world to know about His wonderful salvation that He has provided
through the death of His Son Jesus Christ! When we repent and believe in Him,
we will rejoice from the rising of the sun until its setting, the same way
God’s creation does all the day long! (v. 8).
May the Lord open our eyes and hearts to these wonderful truths in this chapter!
God bless!
