Psalm 65

Scripture  Psalm 65:1&9  “Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled...You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.  The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.” Observation-What does it say?  This psalm is ascribed to David.  There is no specific event this is tied to, but it could have been written at the end of a drought or maybe even a famine.  The psalm was most likely written when the tabernacle was on Mount Zion, before the temple was built in Jerusalem.  “The word translated ‘waiteth’ [awaiting] comes from a root meaning to be silent…. This does not mean that there is no praise, but on the contrary that praise is so complete that at first it can find no utterance.” (Morgan)  This silence gives the impression of being speechless because of the Lord’s greatness.  Later in the chapter, David praises God for the abundance of provision he lavishes on the earth.  The earth is barren until the rain that God helps to bring about growth. Understanding-What does it mean?  I recently went to Zion National Park.  As we were driving to the park, the only thing I could say was, “This is AWESOME!!!”  I mean once we got to the park, I also said, “It’s so hot,” quite a bit.  But that’s what happens when you visit the desert in July.  On the shuttle, I got a chance to just sit and enjoy the amazing scenery.  It’s hard to describe how the great walls or red rock inspire a sense of connection to our creator.  The contrast between the lush valley, which holds the life bringing water, and the desert up above.  The whole time we were there, the words just seemed to escape me to offer as a praise for the grandeur around me.  I was speechless. This brought new meaning to being silent in praise.  God’s word says, “Be still, and know that I am God”(Psalm 46:10).  God’s goodness and creation often inspires awe and speechlessness.  But, we are told this is praise enough.  Similarly, God tells us to look to him to learn how to pray.  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).  Changing our perspective can point us towards the Spirit, giving us direction in prayer.  Even Jesus took time to go into the wilderness to pray (Luke 5:16).   Life Application  God, help me to not fear when you are silent.  Thank you for providing me with places to see you.  Thank you for teaching me about you in the silence.  Help me to lean on the Holy Spirit when I don’t know what to pray.  -Tyler Galloway