Read & explore together
Praise Awaits God in Zion
Psalm 65 is a song of praise to God. It begins in Zion, then widens to show God hearing prayer, dealing with sin, ruling creation, and filling the earth with joyful abundance.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage speaks directly to God in poetry. It starts with praise, vows, prayer, and God’s atonement for transgressions. Then it describes the blessing of being brought near to God, before moving outward to his power over mountains, seas, nations, and the fruitful earth.
Psalms 65:1–13Main takeaway
Psalm 65 praises God for hearing prayer, dealing with sin, showing power, and providing for the earth.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Praise, prayer, and nearnessPraise waits for God in Zion, and vows are performed to him. God is the one who hears prayer, so people come to him.
Explanation
Praise waits for God in Zion, and vows are performed to him. God is the one who hears prayer, so people come to him. The psalm also says sin overwhelmed the singer, but God atoned for transgressions and brought people near to enjoy the goodness of his house.
02God’s power across the worldGod answers by awesome deeds of righteousness and is called the hope of the ends of the earth and of those far away on the sea.
Explanation
God answers by awesome deeds of righteousness and is called the hope of the ends of the earth and of those far away on the sea. He formed the mountains with strength and stills both roaring waves and the turmoil of nations. Faraway people stand in awe at his wonders.
03God’s bounty on the earthThe psalm turns to God’s care for the land. He waters the earth, provides grain, drenches furrows, softens the ground with showers, and blesses it with a crop.
Explanation
The psalm turns to God’s care for the land. He waters the earth, provides grain, drenches furrows, softens the ground with showers, and blesses it with a crop. The year is crowned with bounty, and grasslands, hills, pastures, and valleys are pictured as overflowing with joy.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does this psalm place alongside praise in the opening lines?
Look for the references to vows, prayer, and God hearing those who come to him.
02How does the psalm describe God’s answer to human sin and distance?
Notice the words about atoning for transgressions and choosing someone to come near.
03Which images show both God’s power and God’s provision?
Compare the mountains, seas, and nations with the watered fields, grain, flocks, and valleys.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 65:1–13
1Praise waits for you, God, in Zion. Vows shall be performed to you.
2You who hear prayer, all men will come to you.
3Sins overwhelmed me, but you atoned for our transgressions.
4Blessed is the one whom you choose and cause to come near, that he may live in your courts. We will be filled with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
5By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of all the ends of the earth, of those who are far away on the sea.
6By your power, you form the mountains, having armed yourself with strength.
7You still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
8They also who dwell in faraway places are afraid at your wonders. You call the morning’s dawn and the evening with songs of joy.
9You visit the earth, and water it. You greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain, for so you have ordained it.
10You drench its furrows. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers. You bless it with a crop.
11You crown the year with your bounty. Your carts overflow with abundance.
12The wilderness grasslands overflow. The hills are clothed with gladness.
13The pastures are covered with flocks. The valleys also are clothed with grain. They shout for joy! They also sing.