Bible Commentaries
Psalms 66

Introduction

PSALM 66

:-. 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.

Verse 1

1. Make . . . noise—or, "Shout."

Verse 2

2. his name—as in :-.

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.

Verse 3

3, 4. A specimen of the praise.

How terrible—(Compare Psalms 65:8).

submit—(Compare Margin), show a forced subjection (Psalms 65:8- :), produced by terror.

Verse 5

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

Verse 7

7. behold the nations—watch their conduct.

Verse 8

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

Verse 9

9. holdeth . . . in life—literally, "putteth our soul in life"; that is, out of danger (Psalms 30:3; Psalms 49:15).

to be moved—(Compare Psalms 10:6; Psalms 55:22).

Verse 10

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

Verse 11

11. affliction—literally, "pressure," or, as in :-, "oppression," which, laid on the

loins—the seat of strength (Deuteronomy 33:11), enfeebles the frame.

Verse 12

12. men to ride over our heads—made us to pass.

through fire, c.—figures describing prostration and critical dangers (compare Isaiah 43:2 Ezekiel 36:12).

wealthy—literally, "overflowing," or, "irrigated," and hence fertile.

Verse 13

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

Verse 15

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.

Verse 16

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

Verse 17

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.

Verse 18

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

Verse 19

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