Psalm 65 (64):13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The flatlands, the hills, and the outskirts of the desert mirror the state of humanity. The flatlands represent equality, which is why virtuous nations have often been likened to plains. The hills symbolize elevation, as God lifts up those who lower themselves in humility. The borders of the desert encompass all nations. Why are these areas considered wilderness? They experienced desolation, having received no prophet, existing in a state akin to a forsaken desert that no traveler visits. The divine message was not delivered to the nations at large; only the Israelites were recipients of prophetic teachings. We approached the Lord, and the harvest was counted among the same people as the Jews.

The crimson deserts will be laid waste. In place of the phrase "red desert," other accounts refer to "mountains of the desert," signifying the holy Apostles and Evangelists, who were sustained by divine gifts. The term "desert" pertains to the Church of the Gentiles, who were once lacking in the knowledge of God in earlier times. And the hills shall be filled with joy. Here, the leaders of the Churches are represented as hills.

Praise the crown of the summer of Your goodness. This season of goodness is the delightful summer described by the Lord, as noted by Isaiah. It is written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to announce freedom to the captives, and to give sight to the blind, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-2). Thus, the Prophet refers to this summer of goodness as the era following the humanity of our Savior, which brings forth one ultimate fruit—godliness. During this period, the prophetic word seeks a blessing. Your fields will be filled with abundance. The barren wilderness will be transformed, and the hills will flourish with joy.

The barren wilderness will face devastation. Here, David refers to Jerusalem, which was left in ruins by the Babylonians, and describes it as red—the surrounding areas of Jerusalem known for their splendid views and potential for beauty, otherwise fruitful. Alternatively, the term red could signify Jerusalem's fruits, appearing at every season of the year. The joyful hills will bow down in supplication. This imagery is metaphorical, as joy and worship are characteristic of living, intelligent beings. Thus, David conveys that the hills will celebrate with joy all around.

In these reflections, David conveys that abundant years are favored by humanity over unfruitful ones, not merely for their yield but also for their splendor. It suggests that God embellishes these years like a crown set apart from others, indicating that while some years may be more bounteous than others, each still carries its distinct adornment. The summer crown represents the rich harvest of grains, wine, and oil. The prophet further explains this by stating, "Thy paths shall be trodden by the chaff." Here, the paths of God refer to the clouds, which are likened to chariots or steeds upon which God journeys, as expressed in Psalm 103:3. The abundance we see in the earth's fruits is derived from the nourishment of plants, which in turn is supplied by the rains that fall from the clouds.

Ultimately, this reflects the realization of the prophecy found in this psalm, revealed to David through the Holy Spirit, for the glory and honor of God, who has selected Zion as the site of His covenant. In this psalm, the prophet also announces the return of the people of Judah from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem; subsequently, Jeremiah and Ezekiel affirmed with prophetic certainty the inevitable nature of this return, encouraging us to derive comfort from this psalm as we aspire towards the liberation we seek. Furthermore, it is interpreted here as the deliverance of humanity from the bondage of sin, toward the freedom embodied in the Heavenly Jerusalem, made possible by the grace of Christ our Lord, for His everlasting glory. This also signifies the calling of all people, in alignment with the declaration of the prophet Joel: ‘I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh’ (Joel 2:28).