Psalm 65 12

Psalm 65:12 kjv

They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

Psalm 65:12 nkjv

They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side.

Psalm 65:12 niv

The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.

Psalm 65:12 esv

The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,

Psalm 65:12 nlt

The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.

Psalm 65 verses

Psalm 65 12 Meaning

Psalm 65:12 describes the earth’s joyful response to God’s bounteous provision. It paints a vibrant picture of flourishing lands where livestock fill the meadows and fertile valleys are heavy with ripened grain. The verse employs powerful personification, depicting the very landscapes and their produce as overflowing with such joy and abundance that they metaphorically "shout for joy" and "sing," praising their Creator for His generosity and faithful care in crowning the year with His goodness.

Psalm 65 12 Context

Psalm 65 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, celebrating God's majesty and providential care over His creation. The opening verses (1-4) focus on God's glory in Zion, His readiness to hear prayer, His atonement for sin, and His satisfying presence in the temple. Verses 5-8 shift to God's power over the natural world and His wonderful works, subduing seas and nations. The preceding verses, 9-11, specifically detail God's active involvement in nurturing the earth: He "visits the earth and waters it," enriching it with the "river of God full of water," sending rain to prepare the land for crops, and crowning the year with His goodness. Verse 12 is the climatic description of the result of this divine work: the earth bursts forth in abundant life, expressing profound joy and praise, symbolizing the completeness of God's blessing. Historically, in an agricultural society dependent on rain, these images would powerfully affirm God as the true provider, contrasting implicitly with false deities like Baal, who were worshipped for fertility.

Psalm 65 12 Word analysis

• The pastures (נָאוֹת - na'ot): Refers to desirable, pleasant, or habitable places, particularly luxuriant pasture lands or dwelling places for flocks. It evokes images of rich, green fields.
• are clothed (לָבְשׁוּ - lavshu): From the verb 'to put on' or 'to wear.' Here, it vividly portrays the pastures as literally "dressed" or "covered" by the immense number of flocks. It signifies abundance and dense coverage.
• with flocks (צֹאן - tso'n): Generic term for sheep and goats. These animals represent a vital source of livelihood in ancient Israel, symbolizing prosperity and wealth.
• the valleys also (וַעֲמָקִים - va'amaqim): Refers to deep, often fertile, valleys or plains, suitable for agriculture. The conjunction "also" emphasizes a parallel scene of abundance.
• are covered (יַעַטְפוּ - ya'atfu): This verb means 'to wrap around,' 'to envelop,' or 'to be overwhelmed.' In this context, it implies that the valleys are so laden with grain that they appear to be entirely engulfed or overwhelmed by it.
• with corn (בָּר - bar): Refers generally to grain (like wheat or barley), ready for harvest. This is the staple food, representing life-sustaining sustenance and prosperity.
• they shout for joy (יִתְרוֹעֲעוּ - yitro'e'u): A strong verb indicating a loud, resounding shout or cry, often associated with war cries or shouts of joy and triumph. Here, it personifies the pastures and valleys, giving them a voice to express overflowing exuberance and triumph over barrenness.
• they also sing (אַף יָשִׁירוּ - 'af yashiru): The phrase "אַף" ('af) adds emphasis ("indeed," "yea," "even"). It reinforces the idea of enthusiastic celebration. The singing is a melodic expression of the joyful shout, culminating the scene in a grand chorus of creation's praise.

Words-group analysis:

• The pastures are clothed with flocks: This phrase highlights the visual spectacle of thriving pastoral life, indicative of a healthy and productive ecosystem sustained by divine care. It’s a picture of overwhelming natural blessing.
• the valleys also are covered with corn: This complements the previous phrase, focusing on agricultural bounty. It reinforces the theme of comprehensive fertility and provision, ensuring sustenance for humans. The dual imagery of animal husbandry and cultivation demonstrates total prosperity.
• they shout for joy, they also sing: This remarkable personification of the non-living elements of nature (pastures, valleys) transforms the scene of material blessing into one of spiritual worship. It suggests that creation itself recognizes and celebrates the goodness and power of God, participating in the hymn of praise. The dual expression of "shout for joy" and "sing" implies both an exuberant, spontaneous outburst and a harmonious, sustained acclamation.

Psalm 65 12 Bonus section

The personification of inanimate creation shouting and singing for joy is a recurring theme in the Psalms and prophetic literature, reflecting a worldview where creation is not a static backdrop but an active participant in recognizing and responding to God's glory. This stands in stark contrast to pagan fertility cults prevalent in the ancient Near East, which sought to manipulate divine forces through ritual. Psalm 65 asserts that fertility is not coaxed from fickle deities but freely and graciously given by Yahweh, the one true God, who then receives spontaneous praise from His well-ordered creation. The "crowning of the year" in the preceding verse (65:11) perfectly sets up this crescendo of joy, symbolizing the culmination of God's year-round benevolence and faithful cycle of provision, ensuring life and sustenance.

Psalm 65 12 Commentary

Psalm 65:12 stands as a beautiful poetic culmination of God's faithful providence described in the preceding verses. It transforms the literal observation of a fertile land into a vibrant spiritual expression. The imagery is not merely descriptive; it's celebratory. The pastures don't just have flocks; they are "clothed" with them, indicating such a dense and numerous presence that they become part of the very fabric of the landscape. Similarly, the valleys are not merely abundant with grain but "covered" or even "overwhelmed," suggesting an overwhelming yield that blankets the earth.

The profound impact of the verse lies in its anthropomorphism. It isn't just people who rejoice; the very land itself is imbued with life and a capacity for worship. The "shouting for joy" is an echo of triumph, like a war cry for abundance against scarcity, or the sound of pure, unbridled elation. The subsequent "singing" suggests a more harmonious, sustained worship, a continuous song of gratitude arising from creation itself towards its generous Sustainer. This is a profound theological statement: God's blessings in nature are so abundant and clear that creation itself praises Him. This imagery encourages believers to see God’s hand in every provision, large or small, and to join creation in its perpetual chorus of praise. It underscores God's active involvement in the world, meticulously caring for every detail, ensuring the well-being of His creation, and eliciting a grateful response not only from humanity but from the very ground we tread.

• Practical usage example: When one observes a bountiful harvest, a full barn, or prosperous livestock, this verse reminds us to recognize that these are not merely the result of human labor or good fortune but direct blessings from the faithful hand of God. It calls us to shift our perspective from mere natural phenomena to seeing them as manifestations of divine goodness, prompting our own worship.