Psalm 65:5 Study Bible: By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of every part of the earth, of those who are far away on the sea;

◄ Psalm 65:5 ►

With awesome deeds of righteousness You answer us, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.

Study Bible

By awesome deeds
The phrase "By awesome deeds" in Psalm 65:5 highlights the extraordinary and awe-inspiring actions of God. The Hebrew word for "awesome" is "nora," which conveys a sense of reverence and fear. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's mighty acts that inspire awe and wonder among His people. Historically, these deeds could refer to miraculous events such as the parting of the Red Sea or the provision of manna in the wilderness. In a broader sense, it encompasses all of God's interventions in the world that demonstrate His power and sovereignty.

of righteousness
The term "of righteousness" underscores the moral and ethical nature of God's actions. The Hebrew word "tsedeq" refers to justice, rightness, and faithfulness. God's deeds are not only powerful but also just and righteous, reflecting His holy character. In the biblical context, righteousness is often associated with God's covenant faithfulness to His people, ensuring that His actions are always in alignment with His promises and His nature.

You answer us
"You answer us" speaks to the personal and relational aspect of God's interaction with His people. The Hebrew root "anah" means to respond or reply, indicating that God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged in the lives of His followers. This phrase reassures believers that their prayers and cries for help are heard by a responsive and caring God, who answers in accordance with His will and purpose.

O God of our salvation
The phrase "O God of our salvation" identifies God as the source of deliverance and rescue. The Hebrew word "yeshuah" means salvation, deliverance, or victory. This title for God emphasizes His role as the Savior who redeems His people from sin, danger, and oppression. In the historical context of Israel, it often referred to deliverance from physical enemies, but it also points to the ultimate spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ.

the hope of all the ends of the earth
"The hope of all the ends of the earth" expands the scope of God's salvation beyond Israel to include all nations and peoples. The Hebrew word "tiqvah" for hope signifies expectation and trust. This phrase prophetically points to the universal reach of God's redemptive plan, fulfilled in the Great Commission and the spread of the Gospel to all corners of the world. It reflects the biblical theme that God's salvation is available to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or geographical location.

and of the farthest seas
"And of the farthest seas" further emphasizes the global extent of God's influence and care. The mention of "seas" in Hebrew, "yam," often symbolizes vastness and the unknown. This phrase reassures believers that there is no place too remote or distant from God's presence and power. It serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His ability to reach and save people from every part of the earth, fulfilling His promise to be with His people wherever they are.

Persons / Places / Events

1. God
The central figure in this verse, depicted as the one who performs awesome deeds of righteousness and is the source of salvation and hope.

2. Ends of the Earth
This phrase signifies the entirety of the world, emphasizing God's universal reach and influence.

3. Farthest Seas
Symbolic of the vastness and expansiveness of God's creation and His dominion over it.

Teaching Points

God's Righteousness in Action
God's deeds are not only powerful but are rooted in righteousness. His actions are always just and good, providing a model for how we should strive to act in our own lives.

Universal Hope
God is the hope for all people, regardless of location or background. This encourages us to share the message of salvation universally, knowing that God's love and power extend to all corners of the earth.

Prayer and Expectation
The verse highlights that God answers with awesome deeds. This should encourage us to pray with expectation, trusting in God's ability to act powerfully in our lives.

Salvation as a Present Reality
God is described as "the God of our salvation," indicating that salvation is not just a future promise but a present reality that we can experience and live out daily.

Awe and Reverence
The "awesome deeds" of God should inspire a sense of awe and reverence in us, leading to worship and a deeper appreciation of His majesty and power.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding God as the "hope of all the ends of the earth" influence your perspective on global missions and evangelism?

2. In what ways can you reflect God's "awesome deeds of righteousness" in your daily life and interactions with others?

3. How does the concept of God answering with "awesome deeds" affect your approach to prayer and your expectations of God's intervention?

4. What are some practical ways you can live out the reality of God being "the God of our salvation" in your community?

5. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and reverence for God in your personal worship and spiritual practices?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 45:22
This verse also speaks of God as the hope and salvation for all the ends of the earth, reinforcing the universal scope of God's redemptive work.

Romans 15:12
Paul speaks of the hope that comes through Jesus Christ, echoing the theme of hope for all nations.

Exodus 15:11
Highlights God's awesome deeds, similar to the "awesome deeds of righteousness" mentioned in Psalm 65:5.

Sermons

A Sermon to Seamen		Psalm 65:5
God	J. J. Leedal.	Psalm 65:5
God's Employment of the Terrible	R. W. Emerson.	Psalm 65:5
God's Terrible Things	Paxton Hood.	Psalm 65:5
A Harvest Hymn	J. Stalker, D. D.	Psalm 65:1-13
God as He Appears in Human History	Homilist	Psalm 65:1-13
Harvest Thanksgiving	W. Forsyth	Psalm 65:1-13
Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion		Psalm 65:1-13
Reasons for Praising God	C. Short	Psalm 65:1-13
Zion's Praise Ready for Her Lord		Psalm 65:1-13

People

David, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Acts, Afar, Answerest, Awesome, Confidence, Deeds, Deliverance, Distant, Dread, Ends, Far-off, Farthest, Fearful, Hope, Lands, O, Oh, Power, Regions, Righteousness, Salvation, Savior, Seas, Terrible, Trust, Wilt, Wondrous, Works

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 65:5

     1125   God, righteousness
     1436   reality
     6628   conversion, God's demand

Psalm 65:1-5

8609 prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

Library

Sin Overcoming and Overcome
'Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, Thou shalt purge them away.'--PSALM. lxv. 3. There is an intended contrast in these two clauses more pointed and emphatic in the original than in our Bible, between man's impotence and God's power in the face of the fact of sin. The words of the first clause might be translated, with perhaps a little increase of vividness, 'iniquities are too strong for me'; and the 'Thou' of the next clause is emphatically expressed in the original, 'as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion
In fulfillment of this ancient type, we also "have an altar whereof they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle." Into our spiritual worship, no observers of materialistic ritualism may intrude; they have no right to eat at our spiritual altar, and there is no other at which they can eat and live for ever. There is but one altar Jesus Christ our Lord. All other altars are impostures and idolatrous inventions. Whether of stone, or wood, or brass, they are the toys with which those amuse themselves …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Daily Bread.
(Harvest Thanksgiving.) PSALM lxv. 9. "Thou preparest them corn." "Come, ye thankful people, come," and let us thank God for another harvest. Once more the Father, the Feeder, has given bread to strengthen man's heart, and we turn from the corn stored in the garner, to God's own garner the Church, where He has stored up food for our souls. And first of all, my brothers, let us be honest with ourselves. Are we quite sure that we are thankful to God for the harvest? We have decorated God's House …
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
"Dr. A. J. Gordon describes the impression made upon his mind by intercourse with Joseph Rabinowitz, whom Dr. Delitzsch considered the most remarkable Jewish convert since Saul of Tarsus: We shall not soon forget the radiance that would come into his face as he expounded the Messianic psalms at our morning or evening worship, and how, as here and there he caught a glimpse of the suffering or glorified Christ, he would suddenly lift his hands and his eyes to heaven in a burst of adoration, exclaiming …
Edward M. Bounds—The Essentials of Prayer

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
Abba, same as Father, [3]381; St. Paul uses both words, [4]532. Abel, [5]31, [6]252, [7]268, [8]450. Abimelech, [9]72, [10]197. Abraham, seed of, faithful Christians also, [11]148, [12]149, [13]627; servant's hand under his thigh, [14]149, [15]334; poor in midst of riches, [16]410. Absalom, David's son, [17]4, [18]5; type of Judas the traitor, [19]4, [20]20. Absolution granted by the Church, [21]500. Abyss, or deep, of God's judgments, [22]88; of man's heart, [23]136. Accuser, the devil the great, …
St. Augustine—Exposition on the Book of Psalms

"O Thou, that Hearest Prayer!" --Ps. Lxv. 2
"O Thou, that hearest Prayer!"--Ps. lxv. 2. Thou, God, art a consuming fire, Yet mortals may find grace, From toil and tumult to retire, And meet Thee face to face. Though "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord!" Seraph to seraph sings, And angel-choirs, with one accord, Worship, with veiling wings;-- Though earth Thy footstool, heaven Thy throne, Thy way amidst the sea, Thy path deep floods, Thy steps unknown, Thy counsels mystery:-- Yet wilt Thou look on him who lies A suppliant at Thy feet; And hearken to …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Question of the Active Life
I. Do all Acts of the Moral Virtues come under the Active Life? II. Does Prudence pertain to the Active Life? III. Does Teaching belong to the Active or to the Contemplative Life? IV. Does the Active Life continue after this Life? I Do all Acts of the Moral Virtues come under the Active Life? S. Isidore says[407]: "In the active life all the vices are first of all to be removed by the practice of good works, so that in the contemplative life a man may, with now purified mental gaze, pass to the …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear, …
St. Augustine—On Continence

If, Therefore, You had not as yet Vowed unto God Widowed Continence...
23. If, therefore, you had not as yet vowed unto God widowed continence, we would assuredly exhort you to vow it; but, in that you have already vowed it, we exhort you to persevere. And yet I see that I must so speak as to lead those also who had as yet thought of marriage to love it and to seize on it. Therefore let us give ear unto the Apostle, "She who is unmarried," saith he, "is careful about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit; but she who is married is careful about …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Malachy's Pity for his Deceased Sister. He Restores the Monastery of Bangor. His First Miracles.
11. (6). Meanwhile Malachy's sister, whom we mentioned before,[271] died: and we must not pass over the visions which he saw about her. For the saint indeed abhorred her carnal life, and with such intensity that he vowed he would never see her alive in the flesh. But now that her flesh was destroyed his vow was also destroyed, and he began to see in spirit her whom in the body he would not see. One night he heard in a dream the voice of one saying to him that his sister was standing outside in the …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). Has God foreordained everything that comes to pass? Has He decreed that what is, was to have been? In the final analysis this is only another way of asking, Is God now governing the world and everyone and everything in it? If God is governing the world then is He governing it according to a definite purpose, or aimlessly and at random? If He is governing it according to some purpose, then …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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