Psalm 65 – God’s blessing the earth into fruitfulness is highlighted
Psalm 66 – God’s saving acts on behalf of Israel are highlighted
Psalm 67 – God’s blessing the earth into fruitfulness is highlighted (“all the peoples praise…all the ends of the earth…fear”)
Psalm 68 – God’s saving acts on behalf of Israel are highlighted (“kings…bring you gifts…Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth”)
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Psalm 65 – I’d rename this Psalm, “Praise awaits you Lord” from verse one. That phrase would be repeated many times, “Praise awaits you, praise awaits you Lord, praise awaits you!” Of course there needs to be a response, not just calling for praise to wait, and this psalm doesn’t disappoint. Rich with praise and appreciation for God’s blessing, this short psalm reminds us, “you answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas…” (65:5).
Psalm 66 – “Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard” (66:8). Because God preserved our lives, even though he tested us by putting us in prison, laying burdens on our backs and letting people ride over our heads. Still, even through all of this, you “brought us to a place of abundance” (66:12). It’s tough to appreciate the trials while they are happening, but songs like this need to be sung so we can remember the truth in the midst of pain. It’s not all fun and games, agree? Life isn’t always so sweet that we go around with a grin on our face. We should, however, always have joy in our hearts–that sound should not diminish. Amen!
Psalm 67 – A great benediction, words that we should know well, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us” (67:1) comes from the priestly blessing of Moses in Numbers 6:24-26, transformed here into a collective “us” and “we” tense. This is a much better way to depart a celebration service than, “thanks for coming…go get your gift!” God goes with us, he is there through it all. That’s what I want to remember on the way home!
Psalm 68 – “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his hold dwelling” (68:5), such colorful words, no doubt lost some of the beauty in translation, but the thought remains: A father to the fatherless, that is hope! Yes, it’s our God who saves. “Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins” (68:21)…I didn’t make that up! Though there are lots of different translations, the meaning is clear, God will defeat our enemies.