Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed,
Verse 2O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come.
Verse 3When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.
Verse 4Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
Verse 5By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
Verse 6By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
Verse 7You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
Verse 8Those who live at earth's farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
Verse 9You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.
Verse 10You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
Verse 11You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
Verse 12The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,
Verse 13the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.
Devotion
The centering of God’s power and gift of creation continues, beginning with our vows and prayers, continuing with acknowledgement of sin and God’s gift of forgiveness leading to deliverance and hope for all. This is good news for all people, in all places, in all times!
From the shore of Alta Lake, surrounded by the remembrance of fire, in this time of political turmoil, I appreciate the psalmist’s honesty (vs 7); chaos and tumult are present in creation and among the people. And still, God’s creation, especially in water, brings life. In pastures and valleys, in the renewal of fire ravaged hillsides and fear ravaged lives, God will provide what is needed for abundant life. And all creation will sing for joy.
Prayer
When chaos roars and tumult shouts, give me pause when I touch water. In that pause, may I find whispers of your love and the promise of life renewed. Amen.