Psalms 66:1-20 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

LXVI. A and LXVI. B. Here again we have two Pss., rather unskilfully joined together, for the former ends, the latter begins abruptly. In Psalms 66 A (Psalms 66:1-12) the speaker always uses the first person plural in speaking of himself. He represents the people, or at least a section of the people. He deals with matters of public concern. In Psalms 66 B (Psalms 66:13-20) the poet uses the singular number and thanks God for grace bestowed upon himself personally.

LXVI. A. The author invites the Jews, and indeed the whole world, to praise God's wondrous deeds. God had guided the Hebrews in their trials, as He had led them long ago through the Red Sea and across the Jordan dry-shod. The most notable thing in the Ps. is its universalism. The heathen, though no doubt in a subordinate position, are to share in the good time coming and to rejoice in Israel's deliverance. Partly their submission is extorted by terror (Psalms 66:3 mg.) but partly also proceeds from nobler motives.

Psalms 66:12. wealthy place: read, place of relief.

LXVI. B. Psalms 66:15. incense: smoke of sacrifice (cf. Isaiah 1:13).

Psalms 66:16. for my soul: i.e. for myself; no contrast is implied between soul and body.

Psalms 66:17 b, Psalms 66:18. The text is hopelessly corrupt. The following is a plausible emendation: and thou didst exalt me above them that hate me. If there is deceit in my heart, etc.

The Ps. takes for granted that God is pleased with sacrifice, and assumes the common Jewish doctrine that by prosperity God approved innocency of life.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 66:1

Psalms 66:1-20

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 submita 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 holdethb 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 wealthyc place.

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

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

15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings,e 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.