Psalms 65:9

KJV

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou visitest {H6485}{H8804)} the earth {H776}, and waterest {H7783}{H8787)} it: thou greatly {H7227} enrichest {H6238}{H8686)} it with the river {H6388} of God {H430}, which is full {H4390}{H8804)} of water {H4325}: thou preparest {H3559}{H8686)} them corn {H1715}, when thou hast so provided {H3559}{H8686)} for it.

Complete Jewish Bible

You care for the earth and water it, you enrich it greatly; with the river of God, full of water, you provide them grain and prepare the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth.

American Standard Version

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it, Thou greatly enrichest it; The river of God is full of water: Thou providest them grain, when thou hast so prepared the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 65:9 eloquently portrays God as the active and benevolent sustainer of the earth, celebrating His divine providence in overseeing the natural processes of rainfall and fertility. Through the metaphorical "river of God," He abundantly enriches the land, ensuring the preparation of grain and thus providing essential sustenance for all creation. This verse highlights God's meticulous care, boundless generosity, and unwavering faithfulness in meeting the fundamental needs of life on earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 65 is a profound psalm of praise and thanksgiving, likely composed in celebration of a bountiful harvest. The psalm opens by declaring God's majesty, His worthiness of praise in Zion, and His gracious forgiveness of sins ([Psalm 65:1-4](/psalms/65-1-4 "Psalm 65:1-4 - God's Majesty and Forgiveness")). It then transitions to extolling His awesome power over the cosmos, quieting the seas and the tumult of nations ([Psalm 65:5-8](/psalms/65-5-8 "Psalm 65:5-8 - God's Power Over Creation and Nations")). Verse 9 marks a specific shift, moving from God's grand cosmic control to His tangible, intimate involvement in sustaining life on earth. It sets the stage for the vivid description of the earth's fertility and the joyous response of creation in the subsequent verses ([Psalm 65:10-13](/psalms/65-10-13 "Psalm 65:10-13 - The Earth Rejoices in God's Provision")), all attributed directly to God's benevolent hand.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, profoundly dependent on the cycles of rainfall for its survival and prosperity. Unlike regions with predictable riverine irrigation systems (like Egypt with the Nile), the land of Israel relied heavily on seasonal rains—the "early" and "latter" rains—to ensure successful harvests. Drought was a constant threat and often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure, while abundant rain was seen as a direct blessing from God. The imagery of "the river of God" is therefore deeply significant, emphasizing that the life-giving water, primarily rain, originates from a divine, supernatural source, not merely natural processes or human effort. The "corn" (grain) represents the staple food source for the population, underscoring the vital importance of God's provision.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Providence**, showcasing God not as a distant, deistic creator, but as an intimately involved and active sustainer of His creation. He "visits" and "waters" the earth, demonstrating His ongoing, personal care. Secondly, the phrase "the river of God, which is full of water" highlights **Divine Abundance** and **Generosity**. God's provision is not meager but overflowing, ensuring that the earth is "greatly enriche[d]," conveying a sense of lavish blessing. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes God as the **Sustainer of Life**. By preparing "corn" (grain), God directly provides the means for physical sustenance, reminding humanity of its absolute dependence on Him for daily bread, a concept echoed in [the Lord's Prayer](/matthew/6-11 "Matthew 6:11 - Give Us Our Daily Bread") and throughout Scripture. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Praise and Thanksgiving**, as God's benevolent provision naturally elicits adoration and gratitude from both humanity and the very creation He sustains.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Visitest (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This verb (H6485) carries a richer meaning than a casual visit. It denotes purposeful oversight, inspection, and often intervention. In this context, it signifies God's active, benevolent attention to the earth, leading to His provision and blessing. It implies a divine engagement with creation, ensuring its well-being and prosperity.
* **River (Hebrew, _peleg'_):** This noun (H6388) refers to a rill or small channel of water, often used in the context of irrigation. In the phrase "river of God," it is a powerful poetic metaphor, not a literal earthly river. It refers to the divine source of abundant water, primarily rain, which is essential for life in arid lands. It emphasizes that this life-giving flow originates directly from God Himself, highlighting His supernatural and inexhaustible provision.
* **Corn (Hebrew, _dâgân'_):** This term (H1715) broadly refers to grain or increase from the land. It represents the foundational food source for human and animal life in an agrarian society. Its inclusion underscores the practical and essential outcome of God's watering and enriching of the earth—the provision of sustenance, demonstrating God's direct involvement in meeting fundamental needs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it":** This opening clause establishes God's direct and active engagement with the physical world. He doesn't merely observe but purposefully intervenes. His "visitation" is not for judgment but for benevolent care, leading immediately to the act of "watering," which is crucial for fertility and life, especially in a land dependent on rainfall.
* **"thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water":** Here, the psalmist elaborates on the nature of God's watering. It's not a meager supply but an overflowing, abundant provision. The "river of God" is a metaphor for the divine source of rain, emphasizing its heavenly origin and inexhaustible nature, ensuring the earth's immense fertility and fruitfulness. The phrase "full of water" reinforces the lavishness of this divine supply, indicating a superabundant blessing.
* **"thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it":** This final clause reveals the ultimate purpose and outcome of God's divine visitation and watering. Through His meticulous provision, God actively prepares the staple food (grain) for humanity and all living creatures. This demonstrates His foresight, care, and the complete efficacy of His provision, ensuring sustenance is ready when needed, a testament to His faithful and ongoing sustenance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 65:9 is rich with literary artistry that enhances its theological message. **Personification** is evident as the earth is described as being "visited" and "watered," as if it were a sentient being receiving personal attention from God. This imbues the natural world with a sense of being a direct recipient of divine care. The central image, "the river of God," is a profound **Metaphor** for the divine source of rain. It elevates the natural phenomenon of rainfall to a supernatural act, emphasizing its origin in God's power and generosity rather than merely meteorological processes. The phrases "greatly enrichest" and "full of water" employ **Hyperbole**, conveying an overflowing, lavish abundance that underscores the boundless nature of God's provision. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where each successive clause builds upon and expands the meaning of the preceding one, creating a cumulative effect that highlights the comprehensive and effective nature of God's life-sustaining work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 65:9 powerfully asserts God's immanence and active involvement in His creation, challenging any deistic notion of a distant creator. His meticulous care for the earth and its inhabitants, demonstrated through the provision of water and food, is a testament to His covenant faithfulness and unwavering love. This physical provision serves as a tangible sign of His broader commitment to sustain all life, pointing to His ultimate spiritual provision. The abundance described ("greatly enrichest," "full of water") signifies God's generous character, reminding us that His blessings are not merely sufficient but often overflowing, designed to bring joy and flourishing. This divine provision underscores humanity's absolute dependence on God for every aspect of life, fostering a spirit of profound gratitude and trust.

* [Acts 14:17](/acts/14-17 "Acts 14:17 - God Gives Rain and Fruitful Seasons")
* [Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - Promise of Early and Latter Rain")
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds of the Air")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 65:9 calls us to a deeper, more mindful appreciation for the daily miracles of God's provision. In a world where food and water often seem to flow from human systems and technologies, this verse redirects our gaze to the ultimate Source. It challenges us to recognize God's active hand in the cycles of nature, the growth of crops, and the very sustenance that fills our tables. Cultivating this awareness fosters a profound sense of gratitude, transforming mundane meals into moments of worship and dependence. It reminds us that our physical well-being, like our spiritual health, is entirely contingent upon His faithful care. This understanding should lead us not only to thankfulness but also to responsible stewardship of the resources He has entrusted to us, ensuring that His abundance is shared and not squandered, reflecting His generosity to others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's active role in providing daily sustenance impact your sense of gratitude and dependence?**
* **In what ways might we take God's consistent provision for granted, and how can we cultivate a deeper appreciation for His daily blessings?**
* **How does the "river of God" imagery inspire confidence in His ability to meet both our physical and spiritual needs abundantly?**

### FAQ
**Is "the river of God" a literal river mentioned in the Bible?**

Answer: No, "the river of God" (Hebrew: _nahar Elohim_) in Psalms 65:9 is a poetic and metaphorical expression rather than a literal earthly river. It signifies the divine source of abundant, life-giving water, primarily referring to the rain that was absolutely essential for agriculture in ancient Israel. Unlike the predictable flooding of rivers like the Nile, rainfall in Israel was seen as a direct, sovereign gift from God, emphasizing that this vital provision originates from Him alone. This metaphor highlights God's supernatural provision, His boundless generosity, and His complete control over the natural elements that sustain life on earth. It is a powerful image of divine blessing and sustenance, much like the "river of the water of life" described in [Revelation 22:1](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1 - River of the Water of Life") that flows from God's throne.

**Why is "corn" mentioned specifically, and what does it represent?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "corn" (Hebrew: _dagan_) refers broadly to grain, cereals, or produce, not specifically to maize (American corn). In the context of ancient agrarian societies, grain was the fundamental staple food source for both humans and animals. Its mention in Psalms 65:9 is highly significant because it directly links God's watering and enriching of the earth to the provision of essential sustenance. It underscores God's meticulous care in ensuring that the earth yields its produce, thereby sustaining all life. This highlights the practical and foundational aspect of God's providence, demonstrating His commitment to meeting the most basic needs of His creation. This concept of God providing daily "bread" is echoed throughout Scripture, from the manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")) to the petition in [the Lord's Prayer](/matthew/6-11 "Matthew 6:11 - Give Us Our Daily Bread").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 65:9 celebrates God's physical provision through rain and grain, it points forward to the ultimate and spiritual provision found in Jesus Christ. Just as God "visits" and "waters" the earth to bring forth physical life, so too did God "visit" humanity in the person of Jesus, who came to bring spiritual life and abundance. Jesus declared Himself the source of "living water," promising that whoever believes in Him will never thirst again, and "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water"); [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). He is the true "river of God," providing spiritual refreshment and cleansing that surpasses any physical water. Furthermore, just as God prepares "corn" for physical sustenance, Jesus proclaimed Himself to be "the bread of life," stating, "Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He is the ultimate spiritual sustenance, without whom humanity cannot truly live ([John 6:53-58](/john/6-53-58 "John 6:53-58 - Eating the Flesh and Drinking the Blood of Jesus")). Thus, the physical provision in Psalm 65:9 foreshadows the complete and eternal provision of life, both spiritual and ultimately physical in resurrection, found solely in Christ, who teaches that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone")).

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 46:4

[There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.

Psalms 104:13

He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

Psalms 104:15

And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

Revelation 22:1

¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Joel 2:23

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month].

Joel 2:26

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Psalms 68:9

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.