Psalm 65 8

Psalm 65:8 kjv

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

Psalm 65:8 nkjv

They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.

Psalm 65:8 niv

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8 esv

so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

Psalm 65:8 nlt

Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.

Psalm 65 verses

Psalm 65 8 Meaning

Psalm 65:8 proclaims God's universal sovereignty and the profound impact of His creative and providential power. It states that people from the farthest reaches of the earth are filled with reverent awe by His awe-inspiring acts or wonders. Furthermore, it beautifully personifies the consistent cycle of dawn and dusk, declaring that God Himself causes the very outgoings of morning and evening to metaphorically "sing for joy," emphasizing His direct and joyful involvement in maintaining cosmic order and daily rhythms.

Psalm 65 8 Context

Psalm 65 is a profound psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God, acknowledging His multifaceted nature as the one who hears prayer, forgives sins, brings forth blessing, and governs the natural world. The psalm transitions from celebrating God's grace in Zion and His atoning work (vv. 1-4) to emphasizing His awe-inspiring power manifested across the earth (vv. 5-8). Following verse 8, the psalm shifts focus to God's particular blessing of the land through bountiful rain and a fertile harvest (vv. 9-13), a crucial theme for an agricultural society.

Historically, this psalm would have resonated deeply with the Israelite audience, whose daily life and sustenance were intimately tied to the land and the reliability of seasons. Their survival depended on God's provision of rain and fertility, directly contrasting with the worship of Baal and other regional deities thought to control these elements. Thus, the psalm, particularly verse 8, functions as a powerful declaration against polytheistic beliefs. It unequivocally asserts that YHWH, the God of Israel, is the sole orchestrator of both grand cosmic phenomena and daily natural cycles, inspiring awe and joy far beyond the limited scope of local pagan gods. His "signs" are not capricious but reveal a purposeful, benevolent power that demands universal reverence.

Psalm 65 8 Word analysis

• וְיָרְא֤וּ (v'yare'u) "They who are afraid/dread/stand in awe": This verb, from the root yara (ירא), signifies a deep, reverential awe, respect, and dread. It is not mere terror but an acknowledgment of divine power and majesty that commands worship and obedience. This same "fear" is foundational to wisdom and true knowledge of God in many Scriptures (e.g., Psa 111:10; Prov 1:7).
• יֹשְׁבֵ֣י (yosh'vei) "Dwellers/Inhabitants": This refers to settled people, indicating human populations.
• קְצָוֹת֙ (k'tzavot) "Uttermost parts/ends": From the Hebrew katzeh (קָצֶה), meaning extremity or edge. This denotes a vast geographical scope, emphasizing that God's power and influence are not confined to Israel but extend globally, touching all peoples, even those considered "distant" or "outside."
• מֵאוֹתֹתֶיךָ (me'ototeicha) "At Your signs/wonders": The preposition me- means "from" or "because of." Otot (אוֹת) refers to "signs," "tokens," "wonders," or "miracles." These signs can be dramatic displays of power (like those in Exodus) or the consistent, magnificent workings of creation itself (Psa 19:1-4; Rom 1:20), which undeniably point to a divine architect. They serve as testimony to God's presence and activity in the world.
• מוֹצָֽאֵי (motza'ei) "Outgoings/Places of departure": Derived from the verb yatza (יָצָא), "to go out." This poetic term describes the specific moments or locations from which the morning (sun) and evening (night) appear to "come forth." It signifies the beginnings of day and night.
• בֹ֣קֶר (voker) "Morning": The dawn, the beginning of the day.
• וָעֶ֖רֶב (va'erev) "And evening": The twilight, the end of the day. These two words highlight the completeness of a single daily cycle, symbolizing the rhythmic and unfailing order God has established in creation from Gen 1:5 onwards.
• תַּרְנִ֥ין (tarnin) "You make to sing for joy/rejoice/shout with joy": This is a Hiphil form of the verb ranan (רנן), which means "to shout for joy" or "to sing." The Hiphil causation here is crucial: God Himself is actively causing the morning and evening, or perhaps the experiences associated with them, to "rejoice" or "sing." This is personification, attributing joy and sound to inanimate phenomena, beautifully conveying God's personal involvement in filling His creation with an inherent, observable delight and order.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "They who dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at Your signs": This phrase declares the universal reach and undeniable impact of God's power. It asserts that His "signs"—the evidence of His mighty works in nature and providence—evoke a reverent awe in all humanity, regardless of their geographical or cultural distance. This acknowledges a natural revelation of God that extends beyond covenant or special revelation, drawing even remote peoples into recognition of His sovereignty.
• "You make the outgoings of the morning and evening to sing for joy": This is a powerful and poetic image of creation's inherent response to its Creator. It underscores God's meticulous care and joyful superintendence over the most basic and constant cycles of life. The daily miracle of sunrise and sunset is not a mere mechanistic occurrence but is imbued with a divine purpose that expresses joy and praise. This implies that God's creation is not passive but is active in its response to His presence and order, showcasing His profound goodness and artistry.

Psalm 65 8 Bonus section

• The phrase "sing for joy" for the "outgoings" of morning and evening implies that even the rhythms of time themselves are filled with a God-given harmony and purpose. This is a profound theological statement that all of creation, in its very being and function, perpetually declares the glory of God.
• The "fear" described in the first part of the verse leads to "singing for joy" in the second. This demonstrates a biblical truth: genuine fear of the Lord (awe, reverence for His power and holiness) is not paralyzing dread but leads to an appreciation of His good works, resulting in praise and gladness.
• This verse supports the concept of Natural Theology, where aspects of God's character (His power, orderliness, benevolence) can be inferred through observing the created world (Rom 1:20).
• The daily routine of morning and evening, so commonplace to us, is presented here as a divine orchestration worthy of joy and song, challenging believers to find wonder and praise in God's everyday provisions and His reliable governance of life.

Psalm 65 8 Commentary

Psalm 65:8 beautifully articulates the scope of God's majestic rule. It begins by asserting His global impact: His "signs" – whether specific acts of power or the regular, astonishing processes of the natural world – instill a profound and worshipful awe even in the most remote inhabitants of the earth. This speaks to a universal, intuitive recognition of divine power emanating from creation itself, making humanity without excuse.

The latter part of the verse, with its vivid personification, paints a picture of creation alive with God's design. The "outgoings of morning and evening" – the daily cycle of dawn and dusk – are portrayed not as arbitrary occurrences, but as events that God orchestrates to "sing for joy." This emphasizes His active and sustained governance of the cosmos, where regularity and beauty are not accidents but expressions of divine intention and delight. This consistent, joyful order serves as a testament to His faithfulness, contrasting starkly with ancient worldviews that attributed natural phenomena to chaotic or capricious deities. The verse reminds us that divine order brings joy, both to creation and, through observation, to humanity.