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.

PSALMS 65:9KJV
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Psalms 65:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 65:9 mean?

Psalms 65:9 describes how God cares for the earth by sending rain, making it fruitful, and providing what is needed for crops to grow. The verse pictures God as actively involved in watering the land and enriching it, ensuring that people have food when the time comes.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God, praising Him for His goodness and provision. The setting is one of gratitude for God’s care over creation, especially in how He supplies water and prepares the land for harvest. The verse uses vivid imagery to show God’s ongoing attention and generosity toward the earth and its people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 65:9

  • "visitest" (פָּקַד, paqad): This word often means to pay attention to or care for. Here, it highlights God’s personal involvement with the earth, not just a distant oversight.
  • "waterest" (שָׁקָה, shaqah): This verb means to give drink or irrigate, emphasizing the life-giving effect of God’s action.
  • "river" (פֶּלֶג, peleg): This word refers to a stream or channel, often understood as a source of abundant water. The “river of God” suggests a supply that never runs dry.
  • "preparest" and "provided" (כּוּן, kun): This verb is used twice, meaning to establish or make ready. It stresses that God not only gives the resources but also arranges everything needed for crops to grow.

Why Psalms 65:9 matters

  • Psalms 65:9 clears up the idea that God’s care is only spiritual by showing His concern for physical needs like rain and food.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s ongoing, hands-on role in sustaining creation, not just a one-time act.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm, which celebrates God’s blessings in nature and invites people to recognize His generosity in everyday life.

Where else these words appear

“waterest” Hebrew H7783 · used in 3 verses

  • Joel 2:24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
  • Joel 3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

“river” Hebrew H6388 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 29:6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
  • Psalms 119:136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
  • Isaiah 30:25 And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

“enrichest” Hebrew H6238 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
  • Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
  • Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

“corn” Hebrew H1715 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
  • Lamentations 2:12 They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.