December 30, 2024 - Psalm 65

In my sermon, yesterday, I talked about the love of God and that his love is shown through his actions.  David, in Psalm 65, testifies, “By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas” (65:5).  In fact, God’s works are so amazing that “those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs” (65:8).  And what are those wonderful acts?  He has established the mountains.  He brings joy in the morning and in the evening.  He waters the earth.  He crowns the year with abundance, the pastures overflowing, the meadows clothed with flocks, and the valleys decking themselves with grain.  At the end of the year, it is easy for us to look back and see all that God has done, how he has provided for us, how he has loved us.  With David, and with creation itself, we “shout and sing together for joy” (65:13).

Eternal Source of every joy,

Well may Thy praise our lips employ,

While in Thy temple we appear,

Whose goodness crowns the circling year.   -- Philip Doddridge (1786)