Why read Psalm 65?
Read Psalm 65 to give thanks after trials and share the help you have received. Its account of passing through fire and water leads to praise and an invitation to tell others of God's goodness.
You can read this psalm when its themes speak to your circumstances, or as part of your regular reading of the Psalter. This explanation draws on the text itself; the psalm is not reserved for one particular need.
Psalm 65 — "Shout with triumph unto God, all the earth. Sing..." — is the prayer through which the Psalmist sets before God the living of a whole hour of life. It belongs to the Ninth Kathisma and has 19 verses, which you will find below in full text. The Orthodox Septuagint numbering is retained: this Psalm 65 corresponds to Psalm 66 in the Hebrew numbering.
The text of Psalm 65
1. Shout with triumph unto God, all the earth. Sing unto His name; give glory to His praise.
2. Say unto God: How terrible are Thy works! For the greatness of Thy power, Thine enemies shall flatter Thee.
3. Let all the earth worship Thee and sing unto Thee, let it sing to Thy name.
4. Come and see the works of God, terrible in counsels beyond the sons of men.
5. Who turneth the sea into dry land; in a river they shall pass on foot. There shall we rejoice in Him,
6. In Him that ruleth the age by His power. His eyes look upon the nations; let those who rebel not exalt themselves.
7. Bless our God, ye nations, and make the voice of His praise to be heard,
8. Who hath granted life to my soul, and hath not suffered my footsteps to be moved.
9. For Thou hast proved us, O God; Thou hast tried us with fire, as silver is tried.
10. Thou hast caught us in a snare; Thou hast laid afflictions upon our shoulder;
11. Thou hast raised men upon our heads; we went through fire and water, and Thou broughtest us out into rest.
12. I will enter into Thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay Thee my vows,
13. Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, in my affliction.
14. I will offer unto Thee burnt-offerings of fatlings, with incense and rams; I will offer unto Thee oxen and he-goats.
15. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what great things He hath done for my soul.
16. Unto Him with my mouth have I cried, and with my mouth have I praised Him.
17. If I have had unrighteousness in mine heart, let the Lord not hear me.
18. For this cause hath God heard me; He hath given heed to the voice of my prayer.
19. Blessed is God, Who hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.
When Psalm 65 is read
- It belongs to the Ninth Kathisma; it is said in private prayer, especially for peace and understanding.
- At the end of each psalm, the tradition adds: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
Neighbouring psalms
The numbering follows the Orthodox Psalter (Septuagint). The same psalm may have a different number in other Bible editions.
