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Psalms 65:12

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

They drop {H7491}{H8799)} upon the pastures {H4999} of the wilderness {H4057}: and the little hills {H1389} rejoice {H1524} on every side {H2296}{H8799)}.

The desert pastures drip water, the hills are wrapped with joy,

The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills are robed with joy.

They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness; And the hills are girded with joy.

Commentary

Psalms 65:12 (KJV) continues the psalmist's vibrant depiction of God's bountiful provision for the earth, emphasizing the transformative power of divine blessing upon creation.

Context

Psalm 65 is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's majesty, His power over nature, and His faithfulness in answering prayer. The preceding verses (Psalms 65:9-11) vividly describe God's meticulous care in watering the earth, preparing the ground for harvest, and causing the crops to flourish. Verse 11, in particular, speaks of God crowning the year with His goodness and His "paths drop fatness," setting the stage for the imagery in verse 12. The psalm moves from God's cosmic power (controlling the seas and stilling the nations) to His intimate involvement in the agricultural cycle, which was vital to ancient Israelite life.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Abundance: The verse highlights God as the ultimate provider, whose blessings are so abundant that they cause even the uncultivated areas ("pastures of the wilderness") to thrive. This speaks to the lavishness of His care, extending beyond cultivated fields to all corners of creation.
  • Creation's Joyful Response: The personification of "the little hills rejoice" vividly portrays the enthusiastic response of nature to God's life-giving sustenance. It suggests that all creation finds delight and expresses gladness in the presence of God's blessing, reflecting the harmony between Creator and creation when His will is manifest. This echoes themes found in other prophetic books where the mountains and hills break forth into singing.
  • Fertility and Renewal: The "dropping" of rain leads to lush pastures, symbolizing fertility and renewal. God's blessings bring life and fruitfulness to what might otherwise be barren or less productive, transforming the landscape into a place of sustenance and beauty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "drop" (נָטַף - nataph) implies a gentle, distilling flow, suggesting the steady and pervasive nature of the rain that saturates the ground. The term "wilderness" (מִדְבָּר - midbar) here does not necessarily mean a desolate desert, but often refers to open, uncultivated pastureland. God's blessing extends even to these less-tended areas, making them fruitful. The word for "rejoice" (גִּיל - gil) conveys a strong sense of exultation and shouting for joy, emphasizing the exuberant response of the natural world.

Practical Application

Psalms 65:12 reminds us of God's consistent and generous provision, not just for our spiritual needs but for our physical sustenance as well. It encourages us to:

  • Recognize God's Hand in Daily Blessings: Even the seemingly ordinary occurrences, like rain and flourishing nature, are expressions of God's ongoing care and faithfulness.
  • Cultivate Gratitude: The joyful response of the hills invites us to respond with similar gratitude for God's blessings in our own lives, acknowledging His role as our Provider.
  • Trust in His Sustaining Power: Just as God sustains the earth, we can trust that He will provide for us, even in "wilderness" seasons, turning barrenness into fruitfulness. This promise of divine care is a cornerstone of faith, as seen in Philippians 4:19.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 38:26 (5 votes)

    To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;

  • Job 38:27 (5 votes)

    To satisfy the desolate and waste [ground]; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

  • Psalms 104:10 (4 votes)

    ¶ He sendeth the springs into the valleys, [which] run among the hills.

  • Psalms 104:13 (4 votes)

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

  • Joel 2:22 (3 votes)

    Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

  • Isaiah 61:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

  • Isaiah 61:11 (3 votes)

    For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.