Psalm 65

What’s Happening?

King David leads his community in a harvest psalm. It celebrates God’s provision of crops. But before the song mentions any gathering of grain, David thanks God for gathering his people (Psalm 65:1-2). Even though their sins were many, he forgave them (Psalm 65:3). The Lord of the harvest is also the Savior of his people (Psalm 65:5). David and his community celebrate their own harvest of crops in the same moment they enjoy being God’s harvested people (Psalm 65:3-4).

The song continues with God’s people recounting his power displayed in the world. The mountains stand firm at his command and the seas and armies of the earth cease their violent tossing under his authority (Psalm 65:6-7) Wherever people enjoy sunrises and sunsets, they burst into songs of praise to God (Psalm 65:8). David sings how rain has obeyed his command and filled their carts with sweet food (Psalm 65:9-10). So much so that even deserts overflow with fruitfulness in need of harvesting (Psalm 65:11). God the sovereign Lord of the harvest, covers the meadows with flocks, dresses valleys with grain, and clothes the whole world with bounty (Psalm 65:12-13). God is the global Lord of harvest, provision, and plenty. 

Where is the Gospel?

When Jesus taught in town after town he saw hundreds, if not thousands, of people who were harassed and helpless and in need of a provider (Matthew 35:36). So Jesus tells his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into this field (Matthew 9:38). He wanted to harvest these people away from their sin and into his abundance (John 12:32). 

In David’s day, forgiveness of past sins was secured through a sacrifice. So Jesus became a sacrifice to forgive the sins of all people and become the world’s savior (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus is Lord of the global harvest of salvation, David understood Israel’s crops pointed to!

Like rain, Jesus is living water that irrigates every corner of the world (John 7:37). Like God causes flowers to bloom in the desert, Jesus makes the peoples of mountains, deserts, and meadows alive by his forgiveness and love. When Jesus returns, we know he will harvest the entire world (Revelation 14:16). On that day the whole world will be renewed. People from every corner of the earth will praise Jesus the Lord of the harvest and the Savior of his people.

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who gathers in an international harvest of people to enjoy his provision. And may you see Jesus as the Lord of the harvest and the Savior who brings all nations near God.