Bible Truth #344 - Psalm 65:4

Psalm 65:4

2  O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

3  Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

4  Blessed 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.

In verse 2 the psalmist writes that God hears our prayer and that all men will come to God. All men? Will all men come to God? Will all mankind come to God? Of course not, at least not in life - all WILL come to Him one way or another, at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) or the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).

In the context of this passage God is referring to His Elect, during their lives. So it is obvious here, as in many places in the New Testament, that God clearly means “all flesh” collectively, some of all types. And this is exactly what Paul was writing in 1 Corinthians 1:26, not many are called (to salvation). He wrote “...not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”

He then goes on to write in verse 4 what the Arminian will deny without ceasing - God chooses men and then causes them to come to Him, right after He causes them to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). This is the same thing Jesus said in John 6:37 and 6:44. God will draw men to Jesus, they will come and Jesus will raise them up. Each and every single man is not drawn.

Those who believe in decisional salvation may argue that Jesus said in John 12:32 that He would draw all men to Him. Please go to this link for the passage where I explain in detail that Jesus was not referring to each and every man, but some of all types of men. As I quoted C.H. Spurgeon in Bible Truth #217, the Greek word pas, frequently translated “all” and sometimes “whosoever,” is used in different ways and the Arminian will simply have to accept that. When they believe “all” means individually (each and every one) and it contradicts other Scripture, they are mistaken. “All” is also used collectively (some of all types) and when that usage fits the verse AND is reconciled with every other passage on the same subject, then that usage must be understood to be accurate.

In this passage, as in all others, we again see the sovereignty in God choosing whom He wants and bringing them to Him. Jesus will raise up EVERY man God draws (John 6:44), NOT every man who accepts the drawing.