Faith Daily Lectio Friday, October 16, 2026 Evening Psalm
Friday, October 16, 2026 · Friday in the week of the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23)
Evening Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
O Thou that hearest prayer, as this evening comes, send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 65, that I may see Your goodness in all You have made and rest in Your forgiveness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 65
To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David.
1Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9Thou 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.
10Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
11Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
12They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.” (Psalm 65:8)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law "Iniquities prevail against me" (v. 3), and I cannot stand. My sin is stronger than I am. I take God's gifts for granted, the rain, the corn, the year crowned with His goodness (vv. 9-11), and I forget to give thanks.
The Gospel "as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away" (v. 3). God Himself cleanses us, and He has done it in Jesus' cross. "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee" (v. 4). In Christ He has chosen you and brought you near.
Prayer Gracious God, I confess my iniquities prevail against me, and I have been slow to thank You. Forgive me. Thank You for Jesus, who purged away our transgressions and brought me near. Satisfy me with the goodness of Your house. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
Some seasons feel like a dry field. Psalm 65 reminds us who waters the earth: "the river of God, which is full of water" (v. 9). The same God "stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people" (v. 7). Under trial we learn that His care does not run dry.
Evening prayer O God of our salvation, You still the noise of the seas and the tumult of my heart. Thank You for the gifts of this day. Forgive what I have done wrong, give me quiet rest tonight, and let the morning rejoice. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
