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 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

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 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

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.

4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

5, 6. The terrible works illustrated in Israel's history (Ex 14:21). By this example let rebels be admonished.

6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

7. behold the nations-watch their conduct.

8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

8, 9. Here is, perhaps, cited a case of recent deliverance.

9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

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 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

10-12. Out of severe trials, God had brought them to safety (compare Isa 48:10; 1Pe 1:7).

11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

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 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

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 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

13-15. These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of vows (Le 22:18-23).

14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

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 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

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 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

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, the Lord will not hear me:

18. If I regard iniquity in my heart-literally, "see iniquity with pleasure."

19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.