Psalms 64 and 65
Psalms 64 is a last call to God for preservation from the enemy of the day that is coming soon. It is a prayer that breathes confidence, though troubles assail the godly, when the evildoers counsel together secretly, and the workers of iniquity are openly threatening. Conscienceless they attack with bitter words suddenly the unoffending Israelites who shall be looking for the Messiah they once crucified to come again. It will be a day, when the power of Satan is at its height. (See Revelation 12:12-17; Matthew 24:9-29). The end will be that the righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and trust in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory (verse 10).
The next four psalms are songs, as their titles let us know: songs of praise for deliverance that is very near.
Psalm 65 begins with a striking expression: “Praise waiteth for Thee in since, O God, in Zion” (see marginal note and New Translation). Praise will presently be heard; it is already, so to speak, in the heart, and will soon be on the lips.
Out of the experience of deep trial which always is profitable to those who are exercised by it (Hebrews 12:11), comes that name for God found in verse 2: “Thou that hearest prayer.” How many, their number only known to Him, have in all ages gone to Him in prayer, earnest, supplicating prayer, for needs both theirs and others; and found the assurance that He hears (Philippians 4:6, 7), and in due course have received the answer, too, as it has pleased Him.
Verse 3 is confession, and faith’s assurance of forgiveness; verse 4 owns the election of grace, and declares the believer’s contentment with the prospect thus made his. But the dawn of that day when righteousness shall reign must bring judgment: “By terrible things in righteousness wilt Thou answer us, O God of our salvation” (verse 5). It is a mistake to suppose that the end of the present order of things in the world will be peace; that it will end in terrible judgments, many scriptures tell us.
Past the scenes of judgment, the psalmist however looks, in verses 9 to 13, to the great millennial day when the creation will no more groan, when the hills shall be girded with gladness and the meadows are clothed with flocks. What a day of rejoicing it will be!
Yet for the Christian there is a prospect far excelling the delights of the thousand years of Christ’s righteous reign; for this, one may turn to such scriptures as John 14:2, 3; 17:24; Romans 8:29, 30; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Ephesians 1:3-14, 22, 23; 2:5-8; Colossians 3:20, 21.
ML 01/04/1931