Bible Commentaries
Psalms 66

Verses 1-20

Psalms 66

A Psalm of Gratitude

Scripture v. 1-20:

This is a psalm of praise to God for all His benefits of grace. The occasion of its writing is not known. But it Is a thanksgiving song for deliverance.

Verses 1-3 call for an appropriate sound of joyful praise and singing to the Lord from all the earth, giving him due honor and glory for his power and goodness, manifest in His acts before men, Psalms 29:1-2; Through the greatness of His power His enemies shall one day submit to Him; until that time the righteous are to witness toward God, how great and terrible are His works; Even when He judges, Psalms 18:44; Psalms 81; Psalms 15; Exodus 8:8-15; Exodus 8:25; Exodus 8:29; Even the wicked must one day glorify God in their suffering, Proverbs 16:4; Psalms 22:27.

Verses 4, 5 assert that "all the earth shall worship thee," singing to the honor of His name, Psalms 46:8; Psalms 67:3; Psalms Verse5 adds, "come and see the works of God," as a 1st step, in believing in Him, as Creator and redeemer; It is much as Nathaniel’s call to salvation and service by his brother Philip, John 1:39; John 1:46; Psalms 65:5-8.

Verses 6, 7 declare that this living God, "turned the sea into dry land," to effect the crossing by foot, to cause "rejoicing in Israel," Exodus 14:21; Psalms 106:8-10; Joshua 3:14. It is added that he continually rules by His power, and will never cease ruling, as his eyes observe the nations. The rebellious are therefore warned to avoid exalting themselves, "Selah," or you better meditate on this, 2 Chronicles 16:9; Isaiah 27:4-5; Psalms 58:7.

Verses 8, 9 exhort all men to bless God and cause the voice of His praise to be heard. For David certified that He continually held their soul and life in His care, not permitting their feet to be moved out of the land, for ever, Exodus 37; Psalms 33:3; Psalms 15:5; Psalms 55:22; Psalms 121:3.

Verses 10-12 witness that God had proved (tried) them, even as silver in the furnace, to bring out the best in them, Zechariah 13:9; Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 48:10.

Verses 11, 12 add that God had brought them (Israel) into a net, laid affliction upon their loins, caused men to ride over their heads, preserved them through fire and through water, and brought them into a wealthy place, a place of abundance, as certified Zechariah 13:7; Malachi 3:3; Isaiah 48:10; Psalms 69:23; Isaiah 51:23; Isaiah 43:2; Psalms 23:5. He yet cares, as surely for His own, Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13. See also Psalms 107:35; Psalms 107:37; Isaiah 35:6-7.

Verses 13-15 pledge "I will go into thy house with burnt offerings, pay thee my vows which I have spoken vehemently when in trouble," Psalms 22:25; Psalms 116:14-15; Ecclesiastes 5:4; Jonah 2:9. He added that he would offer burnt sacrifices of fatlings with incense of rams, bullocks, and goats. Selah. Or meditate on this, as it is set in order, Psalms 100:4; Psalms 116:14; Psalms 116:17-19.

Verses 16, 17 call all who fear God to come near and listen, as David tells what God has done for his soul, as he cried to Him with his mouth, and extolled (praised) Him with his tongue, Psalms 19:9. It was a thing he desired all men to do, Psalms 107:2.

Verses 18-20 state that if David regarded or held iniquity in his heart, the Lord would not hear or respond to his prayers, a lesson for al, to observe, Job 27:9; Proverbs 15:29; Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; James 4:3. But he declared God had heard and responded to the voice of his prayer, Psalms 40:1-3; 1 John 1:8-9. He then extolled, praised God who had not turned away from his prayer, or held back His mercy from him, La 3:22; Acts 17:28. See also Job 35:12-13; 1 John 3:22. God hears His own, not because of their merit, but his mercy, Titus 3:5.