This also purports to be a psalm of David. It is dedicated to “the chief Musician,” or committed to him to be set to appropriate music for the public worship of God. See the notes at the Introduction to Psalms 4:1-8. It is described as both “a psalm,” and “a song.” It is not easy to account for this double appellation, or to distinguish between the meaning of these words, though probably the real distinction is that the former word - psalm - refers to that to which it is applied, considered merely as a poem or composition; the latter - song - is applied with reference to its being sung in public worship. See Introduction to Psalms 48:1-14.
Though the psalm is ascribed to David, and though there is nothing in its general character which is inconsistent with this supposition, yet it has been maintained by DeWette and some others that the expressions in Psalms 65:4 demonstrate that the psalm was composed after the temple was erected. The ground of this supposition is, that the words “courts,” “house,” and “holy temple,” occurring in that verse, are applicable only to the temple. This, however, is not decisive, for all these words may have been used in reference to the tabernacle, or to the tent which David erected on Mount Zion 2 Chronicles 1:4, and where he was accustomed to worship. Compare the notes at Psalms 65:4. If this is so, then there is nothing to forbid the supposition that the psalm was composed by David. Compare also the notes at Psalms 65:1.
The occasion on which it was written is not indicated in the title, and it is impossible now to determine it. It would seem from the psalm itself to have been composed after a copious and much-needed rain, perhaps after a long drought, when the earth was again refreshed by showers from heaven. The language, however, is of so general character that it may have had no particular reference to any recent event in the time of the psalmist, but may have been suggested, like Psalms 104, by a general contemplation of the power and the beneficence of God as manifested in his providential dealings. Possibly it may have been a song composed for some annual occasion, recounting the acts of God in the revolving seasons of the year - the general reasons which his people had to praise him. It evidently refers to some public solemnity - some acts of praise to be rendered to God in his house Psalms 65:1, Psalms 65:4, and would be eminently appropriate when his people approached him in an annual thanksgiving.
The contents of the psalm are as follows:
I. The blessedness of praising God, or of coming before him, in his house, with the language of prayer and praise, Psalms 65:1-4.
(a) Praise “waits” for God;
(b) he is the hearer of prayer;
(c) he alone can cleanse the soul from sin;
(d) it is a blessed privilege to be permitted to come before him, and to dwell in his courts.
II. The things for which he is to be praised, Psalms 65:5-13.
(1) he is to be praised for the exhibitions of his power, or as the Almighty God; as one who answers the prayers of his people by heavy judgments; as one who shows that all may have confidence in him, on the earth and on the sea; as one who makes the mountains firm, who stills the noise of the waves, who calms the tumults of the people, who displays the tokens of his power everywhere, and makes the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice, Psalms 65:5-8.
(2) for his beneficence, especially in sending down refreshing rains upon the earth, and causing the grain to spring up, the grass to grow, and the hills to rejoice on every side, Psalms 65:9-13.