Psalms 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. 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, 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.

5, 6. The terrible works illustrated in Israel's history

(Ex 14:21).

7. behold the nations--watch their conduct.

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

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).

10-12. Out of severe trials, God had brought them to safety

(compare

Isa 48:10;

1Pe 1:7).

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. 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.

13-15. These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of

vows

(Le 22:18-23).

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.

16-20. 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. 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--literally, "see iniquity with

pleasure."