SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 – ABUNDANCE

READ: Ps. 65:1–13: … Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You … awesome deeds … they shout for joy, they also sing … You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it …

This psalm was probably composed on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the harvest of the land had been gathered in (Lev. 23:33–43; Deut. 16:13–15). Just as the LORD stands at the centre here, so He does in our own day.

The psalm begins with the church, where praise is brought to the LORD. There the people are silent before Him. There the congregation approaches the holy God as an undeserved privilege, a matter of gracious election (v.4). There the congregation places itself under His blessing and expects everything from Him for life on this earth and for eternal life in heaven.

For this holy meeting, it is necessary that sins be confessed so that they may be forgiven (v.3). In the Old Testament this took place through the ministry of reconciliation, in which sin offerings were brought that pointed forward to Christ.

Then, and certainly now as well, this is a matter of undeserved salvation. All who come to the house of the LORD with a sincere faith may be assured of all the good gifts of grace from the LORD. This concerns all spiritual and material gifts in order to serve Him in His kingdom to His honour and praise.

That house is not only the church building but also the church itself, which expects everything from her God. Believers may expect everything from the LORD throughout their whole lives, for everything stands under His mighty government. Therefore the whole world has every reason to fear Him, worship Him, and praise Him (vv.5–8).

The LORD also shows His almighty power, faithfulness, and gracious providence every year in the gathering of the harvest. The gratitude of the psalmist is not directed primarily to the enjoyment of the harvest, but to the Giver and Worker of what is harvested.

We see Him, as it were, engaged in His work of sustaining life, providing water, and bringing growth, flourishing, and fruitfulness. The whole activity of God is described step by step: everything in the yield of the land, every stage of its development through the course of time, is and comes from Him. Not a single human being is mentioned here! This gives everyone reason to shout for joy and to sing praises.

Is it a privilege to go to church?

Sing: Ps. 65:1,2,3