Psalms 65:9

Authorized King James Version

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

Word-by-Word Analysis

פָּקַ֥דְתָּ

H6485

Thou visitest

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

הָאָ֨רֶץ

H776

the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַתְּשֹׁ֪קְקֶ֡הָ

H7783

and waterest

to run after or over, i.e., overflow

רַבַּ֬ת

H7227

it thou greatly

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

תַּעְשְׁרֶ֗נָּה

H6238

enrichest

properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

פֶּ֣לֶג

H6388

it with the river

a rill (i.e., small channel of water, as in irrigation)

אֱ֭לֹהִים

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מָ֣לֵא

H4390

which is full

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

מָ֑יִם

H4325

of water

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

#10

תְּכִינֶֽהָ׃

H3559

thou preparest

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

#11

דְּ֝גָנָ֗ם

H1715

them corn

properly, increase, i.e., grain

#12

כִּי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#13

כֵ֥ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#14

תְּכִינֶֽהָ׃

H3559

thou preparest

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Psalms chapter 65 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?