Psalms 65:6

KJV

¶ Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; [being] girded with power:

KJV (with Strong's)

Which by his strength {H3581} setteth fast {H3559}{H8688)} the mountains {H2022}; being girded {H247}{H8737)} with power {H1369}:

Complete Jewish Bible

By your strength you set up the mountains. You are clothed with power.

Berean Standard Bible

You formed the mountains by Your power, having girded Yourself with might.

American Standard Version

Who by his strength setteth fast the mountains, Being girded about with might;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 65:6 majestically proclaims the boundless omnipotence of God, portraying Him as the supreme architect and unwavering sustainer of the cosmos. The verse highlights His inherent and active strength, which not only established the seemingly immutable mountains but also continually maintains their steadfastness, emphasizing His dynamic, ever-present power that undergirds all creation. This profound assertion serves as a foundational truth, inviting awe, trust, and worship in the God who sovereignly controls the most formidable elements of the natural world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 65 is a vibrant psalm of praise and thanksgiving, often associated with a bountiful harvest and divine provision. The psalm transitions seamlessly from a focus on God's gracious forgiveness and blessing upon His people in the temple (verses 1-4) to His universal dominion and awesome deeds as Creator and Sustainer (verses 5-8). Verse 6 specifically anchors this universal dominion in God's foundational power over the earth's most enduring features. Following this declaration of cosmic power, the psalmist then celebrates God's providential care in bringing rain and ensuring a fruitful harvest (verses 9-13), demonstrating that the same power that sets fast the mountains also sustains life on earth. This structure emphasizes that God's covenant faithfulness to His people is rooted in His absolute sovereignty over all creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, mountains were often perceived as symbols of permanence, strength, and even the dwelling places of deities. Their stability was a given, an unshakeable aspect of the world. By attributing the very "setting fast" of these mountains to God's strength, the psalmist elevates the God of Israel above all other perceived powers, demonstrating His unique and unparalleled might. The imagery of being "girded with power" is drawn from common human experience: a person would "gird" their loins by tucking up their loose outer garments into a belt, preparing for strenuous activity, battle, or labor. Applied to God, this signifies not merely that He *possesses* power, but that He is inherently clothed in it, always ready, active, and fully equipped for any task, underscoring His dynamic and ever-present capability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. It powerfully declares **Divine Omnipotence**, showcasing God's absolute and limitless strength as the One who establishes and maintains the grandest features of the earth. It underscores God's role as both **Creator and Sustainer**, highlighting His active involvement not only in the initial formation of the world but also in its ongoing stability and order. The mountains, which seem so immutable to human eyes, owe their very existence and steadfastness to Him, as also seen in [Isaiah 40:12 where God measures the waters and weighs the mountains](/isaiah/40-12 "Isaiah 40:12 - God's Immeasurable Power"). Finally, the verse points to **Unwavering Stability**, presenting God as the ultimate source of security in a world often marked by change and uncertainty. His power is constant and reliable, able to uphold all things, providing a firm foundation for trust and worship, much like [Psalm 93:1 describes the Lord being clothed with majesty and girded with strength](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns, Clothed with Majesty").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Setteth fast (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** This verb signifies to be erect or perpendicular, and causatively, to set up, establish, fix, or make firm. It implies more than just the initial act of creation; it suggests an ongoing, active maintenance and securing of the mountains. God doesn't just place them; He makes them unshakeable and enduring, constantly upholding their stability. This highlights His dynamic and sustaining power over creation.
* **Girded (Hebrew, _ʼâzar'_):** As a primitive root, this word means to belt, bind about, or gird. It refers to the ancient practice of tucking up loose garments into a belt to prepare for strenuous activity, battle, or labor. When applied to God, as in this verse, it signifies that He is inherently clothed or armed with power, always ready, fully equipped, and actively engaged. It speaks to the intrinsic nature of His power – it is not something He acquires but something He embodies and is always prepared to wield.
* **Power (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwrâh'_):** This feminine passive participle denotes force, mastery, might, or strength, whether literal or figurative. In this context, it emphasizes the inherent, active, and formidable strength that God possesses. It underscores the divine capacity and vigor by which He accomplishes His will, particularly in establishing and sustaining the physical world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains;"**: This clause attributes the very existence and stability of the mountains directly to God's inherent strength. The mountains, often seen as symbols of permanence and immovability, are not self-sustaining but are actively established and held firm by divine power. This emphasizes God's omnipotence and His role as the ultimate foundation of the natural world, challenging any notion of nature's independent existence.
* **"[being] girded with power:"**: This participial phrase further elaborates on the nature of God's strength, portraying it as an intrinsic and ever-present attribute. The imagery of being "girded" suggests that power is not merely something God possesses, but something that is an integral part of His very being, like a garment He wears. It conveys readiness, active capability, and an inexhaustible supply of might, indicating that God is perpetually equipped and prepared to exercise His dominion over all creation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey God's immense power. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "girded with power," attributing a human action (girding oneself for work) to God to make His inherent and ready strength more comprehensible to human understanding. The **Symbolism** of mountains, which represent permanence, strength, and immovability, is used to underscore the even greater power of God who establishes them. By focusing on these grand, seemingly unchangeable features of the earth, the psalmist employs a form of **Synecdoche** or **Hyperbole** (by implication), where the part (mountains) stands for the whole (all creation), suggesting that if God can set fast the mountains, His power extends over absolutely everything, even the most formidable and enduring aspects of the cosmos. This amplifies the sense of divine majesty and control.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 65:6 offers a profound theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty and His active presence in creation. It establishes God as the ultimate source of all stability and order, challenging any worldview that posits a self-sustaining universe or a distant, disengaged deity. This verse assures believers that the same immeasurable power that upholds the mountains is at work in their lives, providing a foundation for unwavering trust in His providence and care. It calls for a response of profound awe and worship, recognizing that the God who controls the cosmic forces is also intimately involved in the details of His creation and the lives of His people. His power is not abstract but tangible, evidenced in the very ground beneath our feet.

* [Job 9:5](/job/9-5 "Job 9:5 - God Moves Mountains")
* [Isaiah 54:10](/isaiah/54-10 "Isaiah 54:10 - God's Unshakable Covenant")
* [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by instability, uncertainty, and constant change, Psalms 65:6 offers a profound anchor for the soul. If God's strength is sufficient to "set fast the mountains" and He is perpetually "girded with power," then there is no challenge, no personal crisis, and no global upheaval that falls outside the scope of His sovereign control and sustaining might. This verse encourages us to shift our gaze from the fluctuating circumstances of life to the unshakeable character of God. It calls us to place our trust in His unwavering might, finding security not in our own strength or the stability of earthly institutions, but in the One who upholds the very foundations of the earth. This recognition should cultivate a deep sense of awe and reverence, prompting us to worship the Creator who is both infinitely powerful and intimately involved in His creation, capable of handling our greatest fears and sustaining us through every trial.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's power over creation, as described in Psalms 65:6, impact your sense of security and trust in Him amidst personal or global uncertainties?**
* **What "mountains" or seemingly immovable obstacles in your life do you need to surrender to the God who "setteth fast the mountains"?**
* **How does the imagery of God being "girded with power" encourage you to live with greater confidence in His active presence and readiness to help?**

### FAQ

**Why are mountains so often used to describe God's power in the Bible?**

Answer: Mountains are consistently used in the Bible as potent symbols of stability, grandeur, and permanence. For ancient peoples, they represented the most enduring and formidable elements of the natural world, often associated with divine presence or unshakeable strength. By stating that God "setteth fast the mountains," the psalmist emphasizes that even these seemingly eternal formations owe their very existence and steadfastness to God's active power. This highlights God's omnipotence as transcending even the most powerful aspects of creation, making Him the ultimate source of stability and might. It's a way of saying, "If God can do this, imagine what else He can do!" The idea that God's power is foundational to the earth's most massive structures underscores His absolute sovereignty over all things, as seen when [He measures the waters in the hollow of His hand and weighs the mountains in scales](/isaiah/40-12 "Isaiah 40:12 - God's Immeasurable Power").

**What does "girded with power" mean for believers today?**

Answer: The phrase "girded with power" is an anthropomorphic expression that conveys God's inherent, active, and ever-ready strength. In ancient times, to "gird oneself" meant to prepare for strenuous activity by tucking up loose garments, signifying readiness for action, battle, or labor. For believers today, this imagery assures us that God's power is not distant, static, or theoretical, but is an intrinsic part of His being, always present and always prepared to act. It means that God is perpetually equipped and capable of accomplishing His will, sustaining His creation, and intervening on behalf of His people. This provides immense comfort and confidence, knowing that the God who upholds the cosmos is always ready to bring His power to bear on our circumstances, offering a constant source of strength, security, and divine assistance in all of life's challenges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 65:6, with its majestic declaration of God's power in establishing and sustaining the mountains, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that the very strength by which the mountains were set fast is incarnate in Him. [John 1:3 declares that "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made,"](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him") unequivocally identifying Christ as the active agent in creation. Similarly, [Colossians 1:16-17 affirms that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... and in him all things hold together"](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, Creator of All"). This means the same divine power that "setteth fast the mountains" is the power of Christ, not only in their initial creation but in their ongoing sustenance. Furthermore, [Hebrews 1:3 states that Christ "upholds the universe by the word of his power,"](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things by His Word") directly connecting the sustaining power of God in Psalm 65:6 to the Son. The "girded with power" imagery is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who demonstrated absolute authority over creation by calming storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), and ultimately over sin and death through His resurrection, showcasing the "immeasurably great power" of God at work in Him ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power")). Thus, the steadfastness of the mountains points to the unchanging, all-sufficient power of Christ, the God-man who is both Creator and Sustainer, and in whom all things find their ultimate stability and purpose.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 93:1

¶ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Micah 6:2

Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

Habakkuk 3:6

He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways [are] everlasting.

Psalms 24:2

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Psalms 119:90

Thy faithfulness [is] unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

1 Samuel 2:4

The bows of the mighty men [are] broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.