Psalms 66

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. 3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. 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. 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. 8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: 9 Which holdeth 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 the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 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. 13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 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. 16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 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.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 66:1

PSALM 66

Psa 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."

Psalms 66:2

2. his name--as in Psa 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.

Psalms 66:3-4

3-4. A specimen of the praise.

How terrible--(Compare Psa 65:8).

submit--(Compare Margin), show a forced subjection (Psa 18:44), produced by terror.

Psalms 66:5-6

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

Psalms 66:7

7. behold the nations--watch their conduct.

Psalms 66:8-9

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

Psalms 66:10-12

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

Psalms 66:13-15

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

Psalms 66:16-20

16-20. With these he unites his public thanks, inviting those who fear God (Psa 60:4; 61:5, His true worshippers) to hear. He vindicates his sincerity, inasmuch as God would not hear hypocrites, but had heard him.

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