Psalms

Psalms 65: God forgives and fills with goodness

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the harvest song, let us remember the God who gives both daily bread and the pardon sinners need. Pray for thankful hearts that receive pardon through Jesus and daily bread from the generous hand of God.

Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.

Zechariah 10:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God provides pardon for His people's guilt and gives the daily goodness for which we should thank Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David's song begins with praise waiting in Zion for the God who hears prayer and receives fulfilled vows. Though sins overwhelm the worshipper, God atones for His people's transgressions and brings those He chooses near to enjoy His house. His awesome deeds answer prayer with righteousness, making Him the hope of the earth's farthest places. The God who forms mountains also stills roaring seas and the turmoil of nations, filling distant places with awe. He waters the earth, preparing grain by soaking the furrows and blessing the growing crop. The year is crowned with His bounty, and pastures, hills and grain filled valleys seem clothed for a celebration of His goodness.

As you read Psalms 65, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God atones for sin and provides abundantly, drawing His people near to praise His goodness.

The worshippers gather in Zion with praise and vows to fulfil before the God who has heard their prayers. Their deepest need is the sin that overwhelms them, and atonement names God's provision for removing that guilt. He chooses and causes the worshipper to draw near, so life in His courts begins with His grace. The same saving God is the hope of the whole earth because His power reaches every distant coast. Mountains, roaring seas and restless nations therefore stand beneath the strength that answers His people in righteousness. That power also comes gently to the fields, where rain fills the ploughed furrows, softens the ridges and prepares the grain. Crowning the year with bounty pictures the harvest as the gift that completes a season of His care. The flocks and grain clothing the land turn the scene into a song of praise, joining creation's plenty to His people's thanksgiving.

How does Psalm 65 show us that God atones for sin and provides abundantly, drawing His people near to praise His goodness?

God atones for sin and brings His chosen people near.

Sins overwhelm the worshipper, yet God provides atonement for His people's guilt. He chooses and brings them into His courts. Their praise and fulfilled vows answer the grace that gives them the goodness of His house.

God's power gives the earth abundant goodness.

The Lord who stills seas and nations also gives the rain that prepares the grain. The year's bounty comes through His care for the soil and growing crop. Fields clothed with grain and pastures with flocks picture the joy His goodness deserves.

Memorise

Blessed is one whom you choose, and cause to come near, that he may live in your courts.

Psalm 65:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what gift am I enjoying while neglecting the Lord Jesus who gives it?

David confesses, “you atoned for our transgressions.” The God who waters the fields also answers the guilt that overwhelms His worshippers. His goodness brings His people near and gives them reason to praise.

We have received His daily gifts while adding sins that keep us from His holy presence. At the cross Jesus bore the punishment owed by His people and died for them to bring them near. He rose from the dead. No further atonement is needed, because Christ has fully secured His people's forgiveness and everlasting acceptance before God.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. God forgives the sinner who trusts Christ, giving the welcome His atonement has secured. Thank Him for the food on your table and confess the forgetfulness with which you have received His gifts. Those who belong to Him may enjoy His goodness with grateful hearts, praising the God who both pardons and provides.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God provides pardon for His people's guilt and gives the daily goodness for which we should thank Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He atones for His people's sin and fills the earth with daily goodness. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

John 4:10

God of goodness, thank You for the rain, grain and daily food You give. Please lead us to Jesus for the pardon His finished sacrifice provides. Forgive our thanklessness and teach us to remember Your grace. Bring many people near to You, and fill Your people's homes with grateful praise for Your saving and sustaining care. Amen.