Psalm 65

Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14

#103A Solemnities A Context (15th Sunday in Ordinary Time A)

R. (Lk 8:8) The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

Thus have you prepared the land: drenching its furrows,
breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

The fields are garmented with flocks
and the valleys blanketed with grain.
They shout and sing for joy.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
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Commentary on Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14

Psalm 65 is a song of thanksgiving. While the strophes presented are in gratitude for a bountiful harvest, the image of rain falling on crops and fields links nicely to the metaphor used in Isaiah 55:10-11. God’s word brings forth a rich harvest causing rejoicing among those who receive its bounty. There is also an obvious connection to the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-23; Luke 8:5-15.

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Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13

#362 Weekday Year II Context (Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time)

R. (2a) It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Thus have you prepared the land:
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
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Commentary on Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13

Psalm 65 is a hymn of thanksgiving from an unworthy community. These strophes sing of the goodness of the Lord in providing a bountiful harvest as the agricultural year is described. This imagery is reminiscent of the ending of the drought in 1 Kings 18:41-46.

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Psalm 65:2, 3-4, 5, 6

#762 Ritual Mass (I. For the Conferral of Christian Initiation, 3. Reception of Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church, 5.)

R. (2a) It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

To you we owe our hymn of praise,
  O God in Zion;
To you must vows be fulfilled
  in Jerusalem.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

To you all flesh must come
  because of wicked deeds.
We are overcome by our sins;
  it is you who pardon them.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Blessed is the man you choose,
  and bring to dwell in your courts.
May we be filled with good things of your house,
  the holy things of your temple!
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

With awe-inspiring deeds of justice you answer us,
  O God our savior,
The hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the distant seas.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
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Commentary on Ps 65:2, 3-4, 5, 6

Psalm 65 is a song of thanksgiving. Here the psalmist provides a vivid and simple image of God's mercy and love ("We are overcome by our sins;   it is you who pardon them.").  With that inestimable gift of forgiveness and acceptance offered, who would not choose to become part of God's people.  In hope, the psalmist sees the faithful offer their acceptance of that gift and come to the house of the Lord- his holy temple.

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Psalm 65:10, 11-12, 13-14

#914 Mass for Various Needs (III. In Various Public Circumstances, 19. For a Productive Land, First Option)

R. (6) Hear us, O saving God.

You have visited the land and watered it;
  greatly have you enriched it.
God's watercourses are filled;
  you have prepared the grain.
R. Hear us, O saving God.

Thus have you prepared the land:
  drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
  blessing its yield.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
  and your paths overflow with a rich harvest.
R. Hear us, O saving God.

The unfilled meadows overflow with it,
  and rejoicing clothes the hills.
The fields are garmented with flocks
  and the valleys blanketed with grain.
  They shout and sing for joy.
R. Hear us, O saving God.
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Commentary on Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14

Psalm 65 is a song of thanksgiving. While the strophes presented are in gratitude for a bountiful harvest, the image of rain falling on crops and fields links nicely to the metaphor used in Isaiah 55. God’s word brings forth a rich harvest causing rejoicing among those who receive its bounty. There is also an obvious connection to the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-23; Luke 8:5-15.

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