1 {To the chief Musician. A Song: a Psalm.} Shout aloud unto God, all the earth:
2 Sing forth the glory of his name, make his praise glorious;
3 Say unto God, How terrible are thy works! because of the greatness of thy strength, thine enemies come cringing unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and sing psalms unto thee: they shall sing forth thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in [his] doings toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry [land]; they went through the river on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes observe the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 Bless our God, ye peoples, and make the voice of his praise to be heard;
9 Who hath set our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into a net, thou didst lay a heavy burden upon our loins;
12 Thou didst cause men to ride over our head; we went through fire and through water: but thou hast brought us out into abundance.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will perform my vows to thee,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer up unto thee burnt-offerings of fatted beasts, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come, hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I called unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 Had I regarded iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not hear.
19 But God hath heard; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his loving-kindness from me!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 66
Commentary on Psalms 66 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 66
Ps 66:1-20. The writer invites all men to unite in praise, cites some striking occasions for it, promises special acts of thanksgiving, and celebrates God's great mercy.
1. Make … noise—or, "Shout."
2. his name—as in Ps 29:2.
make his praise glorious—literally, "place honor, His praise," or, "as to His praise"; that is, let His praise be such as will glorify Him, or, be honorable to Him.
3, 4. A specimen of the praise.
How terrible—(Compare Ps 65:8).
submit—(Compare Margin), show a forced subjection (Ps 18:44), produced by terror.
5, 6. The terrible works illustrated in Israel's history (Ex 14:21). By this example let rebels be admonished.
7. behold the nations—watch their conduct.
8, 9. Here is, perhaps, cited a case of recent deliverance.
9. holdeth … in life—literally, "putteth our soul in life"; that is, out of danger (Ps 30:3; 49:15).
to be moved—(Compare Ps 10:6; 55:22).
10-12. Out of severe trials, God had brought them to safety (compare Isa 48:10; 1Pe 1:7).
11. affliction—literally, "pressure," or, as in Ps 55:3, "oppression," which, laid on the
loins—the seat of strength (De 33:11), enfeebles the frame.
12. men to ride over our heads—made us to pass.
through fire, &c.—figures describing prostration and critical dangers (compare Isa 43:2; Eze 36:12).
wealthy—literally, "overflowing," or, "irrigated," and hence fertile.
13-15. These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of vows (Le 22:18-23).
15. I will offer—literally, "make to ascend," alluding to the smoke of burnt offering, which explains the use of "incense."
incense—elsewhere always denoting the fumes of aromatics.
16-20. With these he unites his public thanks, inviting those who fear God (Ps 60:4; 61:5, His true worshippers) to hear. He vindicates his sincerity, inasmuch as God would not hear hypocrites, but had heard him.
17. he was extolled with my tongue—literally, "exaltation (was) under my tongue," as a place of deposit, whence it proceeded; that is, honoring God was habitual.
18. If I regard iniquity in my heart—literally, "see iniquity with pleasure."