Verse 1
"To the chief musician, a psalm and song of David."
A sacred song composed by King David, given to the one who led the music. This is the heading that opens the chapter.
Verse 2
"Praise waits for You, O God, in Zion; and to You shall the vow be performed."
Even silence before You is praise, for Your greatness is beyond words; and the vows we have made will be fulfilled before You in Zion.
Verse 3
"O You who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come."
You are the One who hears every prayer, and so every person may come to You — the Lord is open to the prayer of all, without distinction.
Verse 4
"Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will purge them away."
Our sins grow stronger than we are, yet You, the Lord, atone for them. Even when we have failed, there is a way back and a way to pardon.
Verse 5
"Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple."
Happy is the one You choose and draw close to dwell in Your courts; he is filled and satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.
Verse 6
"By awesome deeds in righteousness You answer us, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas."
With awesome, just deeds You answer us, God of our salvation — the trust and hope of the whole earth and the farthest seas.
Verse 7
"Who by His strength established the mountains, being girded with power."
He who created and set the mountains in place by His strength, girded with might. The power of the Lord is seen in all the greatness of creation.
Psalm 65, Part 1, teaches that prayer is always heard, that no sin is beyond pardon, and that nearness to the Lord is the greatest happiness. From the quiet silence that is praise to the awesome deeds of salvation, the whole chapter calls us to come, to pray, and to return, knowing that the Lord hears and answers.