Psalms 66

The Prophet exhorteth every one to the praising of God, for his wonderful works, especially, for the deliverances of his Church out of all manner of troubles, wherewith he trieth them; therewith setting before us by his example and experience, a pattern of praying and thanksgiving aright.

1. An hymn (or song) a Psalm [See Psal.48.ver.1.] for the chief song master. [see Psal.4.v.1.] shout to God, thou whole earth: [i.e. all ye inhabitants of the earth, for which cause also the word shout is put in the plural number in the Hebrew Text: and so verse 4.and Psalm 98.verse 4. And 100.1.and else where frequently.]

2. Sing Psalms to the honour of his Name: give honour to his praise. [Heb.set or put as Jos.7.19. give (Heb. Set or put) the honour to the LORD: it may be thus understood, give (him) honour, (through) his praise, or, to wit, his praise; or make his praise glorious, i.e. praise him in the highest degree; or, put it, hold it your greatest honour, that ye praised God, let all your praise be bent thereunto.]

3. Say to God, How fearful art thou (in) thy work? Because of the greatness, [Or, multitude] of thy strength, shall thine enemies fainedly subject themselves to thee. [Heb. Lie, fain, dissemble, as Deut.33.29. and 2 Sam.22.45. See there.]

4. All the earth, [i.e. all the inhabitants of the earth, as v.1.] worship (or adore) thee, [Heb. Properly, bow herself before thee. See Gen.24.verse 26.] and sing Psalms to thee, let her sing Psalms to thy Name, Sela! [see Psal.3.on v.3.]

5. Come and see Gods acts: he is dreadful of working on the children of men.

6. He hath changed the sea to dry (land) [That part of the reed-sea, or red-sea, which the children of Israel passed over on dry foot. Exod.14.] they went through on first of all brought into the land of Canaan by Josua, Jos.3.] there we rejoiced in him. [they attribute unto themselves, what was done by their forfathers, according to the doctrine, Rom.15.4. compare Hos.12.5.]

7. He ruleth (dominator) forever with his power; his eyes keep watch over the heathens: [Like unto a watchman, that keepeth watch or sentinel upon an high tower, and looketh heedfully about upon all occurrences.] Let not the revolting ones be exalted, for themselves, or shall not exalt themselves; that is, although they set themselves against God, and will not bow under him, yet they shall not be able to stand before, or against him, to their own advantage, and prejudice, or damage of the godly.] Sela!

8. Praise ye, ye Nations our God: [Hebr. bless], and let the voice of his laud be heard.

9. That puts our souls into life: [i.e. doth as it were restore out life when we were as good as dead, compare Psalms 30:4.] and permitteth not, that our foot waver. [Heb. Properly giveth not over our foot to waver, or, wavering. See Psal.15.on v.5.]

10. For thou hast tired us, O God, [By heavy afflictions: compare Isa.48.10. Ezek22.19,20,21,22. Zach 13.9. Mal.3.3.1 Pet.1.6,7.] thou hast refined us, as one refineth the silver.

11. Thou hadst brought us into the net: [Brought us into great straights and perplexities, a similitude taken from fishers, fowlers and hunters, frequently used in scripture; [thou hadst put (or, laid) a straight hand about our liones. [viz. The stress and oppression of our enemies.]

12. Thou hadst made man to ride upon our heads, [i.e. to entertain and use us like slaves and beasts, which are rid, and trod under foot as it were, or like a common way or road, which every one doth go and ride upon. Comp. Isa.51.23.] We were come into fire and into water: i.e. into all manner of crosses and extremities, whence there appeared no issue. Compare Isa.43.2. Ezek.15.6,7. And see 2 Sam.22.on v.17. and Job 15.on v.34.] but thou hast lead us forth into an abundant refreshing. [or, into a place which refresheth abundantly: you have the Hebrew word likewise, Psalms 23:5.]

13. I shall go into thine house with burnt offerings: I shall pay thee my vows.

14. Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath pronounced when I was in streigth.

15. Burnt-offerings of marrow-beasts, [Heb. Properly, as if one should say, marrowed-ones, i.e. which are full marrow.] shall I offer unto thee; with incense rams: [i.e. with the fat of rams, or mutton, which was kindled for incense, see Lev.3.10.11. compared with Lev.10.11,12,13.] I shall prepared [for offerings, namely, as frequently in the books of Moses] bullocks [Heb. Bullock] with he-goats. Sela!

16. Come, hearken, O all ye that fear God, and I shall relate what he hath done to my soul.

17. I called to him with my mouth: and he was exalted under my tongue. [That is, (as some do understand it,) within my heart, in my inmost parts. For the wicked have indeed God upon their tongues as well, but deeper it goes not with them. Others take it in this sence: My mouth shall be full of thy praise. Comp. Psal.10.7.]

18. Had I looked after unrighteousness with my heart, [i.e. given up my self to the service of iniquity; compare Job 31:26. Hab.1.13. oth. Had I seen iniquity in my heart, i.e. purposed it.] the LORD should not have heard. [for he heareth no sinners nor hypocrites, Job.9.31. Job 27:8,9. Prov.15.29. etc.]

19. But sure, God hath heard: he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20. Praised [Heb. Blessed] be God, that hath not turned away my prayer, nor his kindness from me.