Psalm 65

You still the raging of the seas.

Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)

• The Israelites—along with most cultures—view the sea with trepidation.

  • Up the road from me sits Gloucester, Massachusetts, the fishing town of the book/movie “The Perfect Storm.”

  • Since its founding in 1623, Gloucester has lost 10,000 mariners to the sea—just that town alone.

  • Before underwater videography in 4K splendor, before diving suits, before submarines, before power boats, before meteorology—the sea symbolizes the chaos of the fallen world.

• So when Jesus stills the storm, and when he walks on water—he is doing what God does.

• This psalm ends with the promise of divine blessing, even to the remotest isles, the uttermost nations on earth, as they recognize the LORD—a picture of human flourishing under their Creator and Redeemer.

So…

• Considering the chaos of our fallen world, symbolized by the raging sea…

• Pray:

“O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer)

Psalm 65
Te decet hymnus

1	You, O God, are to be praised in Zion, *
		and unto you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem.
2	You who hear our prayer, * 
		unto you shall all flesh come.

3	My misdeeds prevail against me; * 
		O be merciful and blot out our sins.
4	Blessed is the man whom you choose and receive unto yourself; *
		he shall dwell in your courts, and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of your house, even of your holy temple.

5	You shall show us wonderful things in your righteousness, O God of our salvation, *
		for you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the isles that are far away.
6	You in your strength set firm the mountains, *
		and are girded about with power.
7	You still the raging of the seas, *
		the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.
8	Those who dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth shall be in fear of your wonders; *
		you make the morning and evening to shout with joy.
9	You visit the earth and bless it; *
		you make it very plenteous.
10	The river of God is full of water; *
		you prepare the grain, for so you provide for the earth.
11	You water its furrows; you send rain into the little valleys; * 
		you make it soft with the drops of rain and bless the increase of it.
12	You crown the year with your goodness, *
		and your paths overflow with plenty.
13	The fields of the wilderness are rich in pasture, * 
		and the little hills rejoice on every side.
14	The folds shall be full of sheep; *
		the valleys also shall stand so thick with grain that they shall laugh and sing.

New Coverdale Psalter