Psalms 65:2

KJV

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

KJV (with Strong's)

O thou that hearest {H8085}{H8802)} prayer {H8605}, unto thee shall all flesh {H1320} come {H935}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You who listen to prayer, to you all living creatures come.

Berean Standard Bible

O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.

American Standard Version

O thou that hearest prayer, Unto thee shall all flesh come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 65:2 stands as a profound declaration of God's intimate accessibility and universal sovereignty, anchoring a psalm of thanksgiving for divine provision and power. It identifies the Lord as the faithful Hearer of prayer, establishing the foundational reason for all worship and praise. This verse then proclaims a future reality where all humanity, or indeed all creation, will ultimately acknowledge and approach Him, underscoring both His responsiveness to individual pleas and His ultimate authority over all existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 65:2 immediately follows the opening declaration of praise in [Psalms 65:1](/psalms/65-1 "Psalms 65:1 - Praise Awaits God in Zion"), which speaks of "praise waiting for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed." This sets up a direct cause-and-effect relationship: praise and vows are due to God precisely because He is the one who hears prayer. The subsequent verses (e.g., [Psalms 65:5-8](/psalms/65-5 "Psalms 65:5-8 - God's Awesome Deeds")) then expand on God's mighty acts in creation and redemption, demonstrating His power over the chaotic seas and His provision for the earth's fertility, culminating in a celebration of abundant harvest. Thus, verse 2 serves as the theological linchpin, connecting humanity's worship and reliance on God to His active, responsive nature and His overarching control of the natural world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While attributed to David, Psalm 65 likely reflects a time of national well-being, possibly after a period of drought or conflict, culminating in a bountiful harvest. The mention of Zion suggests a temple context, where vows would be performed and prayers offered. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, deities were often perceived as distant or capricious, requiring elaborate rituals to gain their attention. In stark contrast, this psalm presents Yahweh as uniquely accessible and actively engaged with His people's cries. The concept of "all flesh" coming to God would have been revolutionary, challenging the common understanding of tribal or national gods and hinting at a universal scope of divine influence, a theme that would later be more fully developed in prophetic literature concerning the ingathering of the nations (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")).
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several pivotal themes within the Psalms and broader biblical theology. Foremost is **God's Accessibility and Responsiveness**, highlighting His unique character as the "Hearer of prayer," distinguishing Him from silent idols and distant deities. This theme reassures believers of the efficacy of their petitions. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Universal Acknowledgment and Submission**. The phrase "unto thee shall all flesh come" points to a future or present reality where all humanity, or even all living beings, will ultimately recognize God's sovereignty, approach Him in worship, or stand before Him in judgment. This speaks to God's ultimate dominion over all creation. Finally, the verse subtly weaves in the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, as the God who hears prayer is also the God who governs the cosmos and provides for the earth, as elaborated in the rest of [Psalms 65](/psalms/65 "Psalms 65 - God's Goodness and Power").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearer (Hebrew, _shomea'_):** Derived from the verb שָׁמַע (shamáʿ), meaning "to hear," "to listen," "to obey," or "to understand." In this context, it signifies more than just passive reception of sound; it implies active attention, comprehension, and a readiness to respond. When applied to God, it denotes His attentive and responsive nature, indicating that He not only perceives our prayers but also acts upon them, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness and active engagement with humanity.
* **Prayer (Hebrew, _tefillah'_):** This is a general term for prayer, derived from the verb פָּלַל (palal), meaning "to intercede," "to mediate," or "to judge." It encompasses various forms of supplication, praise, confession, and petition. The combination of "hearer" and "prayer" emphasizes the direct, personal, and effective communication possible between humanity and the divine, highlighting God's unique attribute as the one who truly engages with the cries of His creation.
* **All flesh (Hebrew, _kol basar'_):** This idiomatic phrase literally means "all meat" or "all living things." In biblical usage, it typically refers to all humanity (e.g., [Genesis 6:12](/genesis/6-12 "Genesis 6:12 - Corruption of All Flesh")), often emphasizing human frailty and mortality in contrast to God's eternal nature (e.g., [Isaiah 40:6](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6 - All Flesh is Grass")). Here, in a context of coming to God, it expands to encompass not just the covenant people of Israel but all peoples, suggesting a universal scope of worship, acknowledgment, or judgment, underscoring God's ultimate dominion over every living being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O thou that hearest prayer,"**: This opening clause is an apostrophe, a direct address to God, identifying Him by one of His most comforting and fundamental attributes. It establishes the basis for all human interaction with the divine: God is not a distant, indifferent, or silent deity, but one who actively listens and responds to the supplications of His creation. This declaration immediately instills confidence and invites communion.
* **"unto thee shall all flesh come."**: This second clause is a prophetic declaration, stating the inevitable outcome of God's character as the Hearer of prayer. Because He is the one true God who engages with humanity, all of humanity ("all flesh") will ultimately be drawn to Him. This "coming" can encompass various meanings: approaching in worship and supplication, submitting in obedience, or appearing before Him in judgment. It speaks to God's universal sovereignty and the ultimate recognition of His rightful place by every living being, whether willingly or by divine decree.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Apostrophe** is immediately evident in the direct address, "O thou that hearest prayer," which creates an intimate and personal tone, inviting the reader to join in addressing God directly. The phrase "all flesh" functions as **synecdoche**, where a part (flesh, representing human mortality) stands for the whole (all humanity or all living beings), emphasizing the universal scope of God's dominion and the eventual acknowledgment of His sovereignty by every creature. This universal coming can also be seen as a form of **hyperbole** if interpreted as a present reality, but more accurately, it functions as a **prophetic declaration**, pointing to an eschatological fulfillment. The entire verse serves as an **affirmation of a divine attribute**, proclaiming God's unique and fundamental character as both accessible and sovereign, thereby laying the groundwork for the subsequent praise and thanksgiving in the psalm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 65:2 powerfully articulates the twin truths of God's accessibility and His universal dominion, themes deeply woven throughout the biblical narrative. The assurance that God "hears prayer" is a cornerstone of faith, providing the foundation for confident petition and intimate communion with the Creator. This divine attribute underscores His personal involvement in the lives of His creation, contrasting sharply with the silent and impotent idols of the nations. Furthermore, the declaration that "unto thee shall all flesh come" speaks to God's ultimate sovereignty, foretelling a future where every living being will acknowledge His rightful place, whether in worship, submission, or judgment. This eschatological vision provides hope for the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and the universal recognition of His glory.

* [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14 - Confidence in Prayer")
* [Jeremiah 29:12](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12 - God Hears Prayer")
* [Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 65:2 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to worship, reminding us of the unique nature of the God we serve. The declaration "O thou that hearest prayer" should ignite our confidence and persistence in prayer, knowing that our petitions do not fall on deaf ears. God is not a distant, indifferent deity, but one who actively inclines His ear to His children. This truth should motivate us to bring every concern, every joy, and every sorrow before Him, trusting in His attentive and responsive nature. Furthermore, the promise that "unto thee shall all flesh come" provides an ultimate horizon of hope. In a world often marked by rebellion and unbelief, this verse assures us of God's ultimate triumph and the universal acknowledgment of His sovereignty. This should inspire us to live lives that reflect His glory and to participate in His mission, knowing that one day, all will bow before Him. It challenges us to consider our own posture: are we willingly coming to Him now, or resisting the inevitable?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God "hears prayer" personally impact your approach to prayer and your faith in His responsiveness?**
* **What does it mean for "all flesh" to come to God, and how does this universal scope shape your understanding of God's mission in the world?**
* **In what ways can you live today in light of the ultimate reality that all will one day acknowledge God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What does "all flesh" mean in the context of Psalms 65:2?**

Answer: In Psalms 65:2, "all flesh" (Hebrew: _kol basar_) is a comprehensive biblical idiom that refers to all humanity or all living beings. While it often highlights human frailty and mortality when contrasted with God's eternal nature (e.g., [Isaiah 40:6](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6 - All Flesh is Grass")), in this context, it signifies the universal scope of God's dominion and the ultimate recognition of His sovereignty. It means that not just Israel, but all peoples, indeed all of creation, will eventually be drawn to God, whether in worship, submission, or judgment. This points to a future, eschatological reality where God's unique identity as the Hearer of prayer will be universally acknowledged.

**How does God "hear" prayer, and does "hearing" imply answering every request positively?**

Answer: When the Bible states that God "hears" prayer, it implies much more than just passive reception of sound. It signifies active attention, comprehension, and a responsive engagement. God hears with understanding and intention, meaning He perceives, considers, and acts upon our prayers according to His perfect will and wisdom. While God always hears, "hearing" does not automatically mean granting every request exactly as we desire. His answers may be "yes," "no," or "wait," always aligned with His sovereign plan, His perfect character, and our ultimate good. The assurance is that our prayers are never ignored or in vain, but are always received by a God who cares and is actively involved in His creation (e.g., [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")).

**Is Psalms 65:2 a command for all people to pray, or a prophecy about a future event?**

Answer: Psalms 65:2 functions primarily as a **prophetic declaration** about a future reality, rooted in God's unchanging character. The phrase "unto thee shall all flesh come" speaks of an inevitable drawing near to God by all humanity. However, implicit within this prophecy is an **invitation and encouragement** for all people to come to God in prayer *now*. Because God is uniquely the "Hearer of prayer," He is the only one truly worthy of such universal approach. Therefore, while it foretells a future universal acknowledgment, it simultaneously serves as a powerful theological foundation for present-day prayer, inviting all to seek the God who listens and responds.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 65:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Hearer of prayer," not only as God incarnate but also as the one through whom all acceptable prayer ascends to the Father. Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray, promising that whatever they asked in His name would be given (e.g., [John 14:13-14](/john/14-13 "John 14:13-14 - Asking in Jesus' Name")). Moreover, Christ is the great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us (e.g., [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor")), ensuring that our prayers are heard and presented before God. The declaration that "unto thee shall all flesh come" is powerfully realized in Christ's universal Lordship. The New Testament proclaims that [every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Will Bow"), to the glory of God the Father. Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, has drawn all people to Himself (e.g., [John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Draws All People")), breaking down barriers and making it possible for "all flesh" – Jew and Gentile alike – to approach God through Him. Thus, the accessibility of God and the universal coming to Him, prophesied in this psalm, are fully accomplished in the person and saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.