Psalms 66

To the chief Musician. A Song or P&ahn* AKGUMENT, The Vulgar Latin hero again (so little tnist is to be given to it) hath an inscription, which, as Theodoret witnesses, is not to be found in other interpreters, no more than in the Hebrew; no, not in theSeptuagint translation, which was in the famous Hexaplus. Nor can any good reason be given why they call it, A Song-Psalm concerning the Resurrection; unless thereby we understand the resurrection of the dry bones, of which Ezckiel prophesied, chap, xxxvii. which was the bringing the people in Babylon, where they seem ta be buried, to their own land again, ver. 12. And so Theodoret himself takes it for a Psalm which David, by a prophetical spirit, composed for the people in captivity, not praying for their return (as he fancies they do in the Psalm foregoing), but upon’ their way home, and praising God for their liberty. Certain it is this Psalm was made after a very remarkable deliverance from some sore calamity, under which the nation had groaned. And it not being said by whom it was penned, nor who the enemies were that oppressed 1 them, it is generally thought not to be David’s, whose name it doth not bear in the title, as the foregoing does; but to have been made by some holy man after/or in their return from, the forcmentioned captivity. But he that collected the Psalms contained in this second book, though he did not find- David’s name in the front of it; yet took him, I believe, to be the author both of this and: of the next Psalm, as well as of the foregoing: otherwise he would not have placed them between those on bdth sides which certainly belong to him, when he intended, it appears by the conclusion of this book r (lxxii. 20.) to put together all the pfaycrs’that hehad then met withal of David’s. He that considers also that the seventy-first and seventy-second Psalms have not David’s name in the title, and yet afe generally thought to be of his composing, mil -not take the want of the usual inscription here to be a sufficient argumentwhy we should seek for some other author of this Psalm.. * i Which was penned, I judge, after God had advanced David to the throne, and peaceably settled him in his kingdom.’ Till which time they had been in a very unsettled condition, not only during the rule of the judges (when, as he speaks here, ve*. 12. many of their neighbours rid over thtir heads, or, as we now speak, domineered over them as they pleased), but also in the reign of Saul, when the Philistines were so powerful, that the Israelites durst not look them in tic face, but hid themselves in caves, and thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits, (1 Sain. xiii. G.) For they had disarmed them; so that when they came to fight, there was not a* man had a sword or a spear but only Saul and Jonathan, (ver. 22.) And though they prevailed over the Philistines afterward m several battles, (chap. xiv. xvii.) yet they grew so strong again, that they penetrated into the country as far as Mount Gilboa, where Saul and his sons were slain; (chap, xxxi.) and the people thereupon were so dismayed, that they about Jordan forsook their cities, and the Philistiues came and dwelt in them, (ver. 7.) To these things the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth* verses of this Psalm may have respect And then the freeing the country from that oppression, and forcing those insolent enemies to submit to David (ver. #♦- where there is the same expression in substance with that which he uses, Psal. xviii* 45. after he had overcome all his enemies), may be the thing for which he here gives praise to God:- exciting all the country to join with him in blessing his Divine Majesty; not only for this, but for former deliverances he had vouchsafed to that nation. Which he would have acknowledged with their most cheerful thanksgivings, (which may be the meaning of a Song-Psalm, see lxvii.) especially in the public service of God at the tabernacle. Into which he promises to go, ver. 13. 14. (a sign the Psalm was not made at their coming, out of Babylon,, when there was no house* to go unto) and pay his vows, which he had made before these victories. But at their return from Babylon it islikely they might use this Psalm, and apply it to that purpose; going to the place where the house of God’ formerly stood.- the nations: let not the rebellious exalt theniselves. Selah.] And it ought to continue still in succeeding ages, since the same Divine Power which did those wonders governs the world throughout all generations: he sees and observes the " motions of all nations, who may learn, by the Egyptians and Canaanites, that they, who contemn his authority, in vain endeavour to exalt themselves to greater eminence; for they shall certainly be abased. t. *

Psalms 66:1

ItJ-AKE a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands.J* Let all the people of this land shout aloud, and triumph in* the liberty which God hath restored unto us,.

Psalms 66:2

Sing forth the honour of his name; make his praisegloHous.~\ Sing psalms in honour of his most glorious, majesty; and do not merely praiso him, but do it in the most splendid manner: and place your principal glory in this,: that you have the honour to sing, his praises.

Psalms 66:3

Say nnto God, How terrible art thott in thy* works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies subinit tltemselves unto thee.\ Saying, O God, thy. stupendous works fill us with wonder and amazement; but we are not able to express the greatness of.them; theystrike terror into the hearts of thy enemies, who, foeling. the dreadful effects of thy power, dare not oppose thee any longer, but, dissembling their hostility, shall come and? offer thee their service, (2 Sam. viii. 1.) Ver, 4r All the earth shall worship thee> and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing, to thy name. Selah^ For.which, be thou adored by all the inhabitantsof this country: let them all sing joyful hymns unto thee; let them sing the praise of thy power, which hath thus daunted our enemies,, and delivered us. *

Psalms 66:5

Come and see the works of Godr he is terrible ite his doing towards the children of men. Approach, I beseecfr you, and attentively consider what our God hath done, and then I need not exhort you to praise his name:. for the works and counsels of his providence over all mankind arevery astonishing. Ver. G. He turned the sea into dry land: thexj tcent through the flood on foot.; there did ive rejoice in him.’] Especially over us, for whose fathers, to their unspeakable joy, (Exod. xv.) he opened a passage through the Red Sea, when they were so shut up between that before, and the army of Pharaoh behind, that there was no way left for their escape, (Exod. xiv. 1G.) And also led them dryshod through the river Jordan, when it was so full of water, that it overflowed its banks, (Josh. iii. 15—17.) which created a new joy in the hearts of our nation,

Psalms 66:7

He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold

Psalms 66:8

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard.) We have reason to say, that, he is our God, and takes care of us, as well as of those before us; and therefore let all the tribes of Israel agree together to bless him, and proclaim his praises; that it may be for ever known how good he is, and how grateful they are.

Psalms 66:9

Winch holdeth our sonl m in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For he hath wonderfully preserved us from perishing in our affliction: and not suffered our enemies to pursue their advantages to our utter overthrow and ruin., i

Psalms 66:10

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou hast proved our constancy, indeed, O God, by most severe chastisements; and as a refiner tries his. silver by throwing it into the fire, so thou Jiast dealt with. us as well as with our forefathers; whose labours in the iron furnace of Egypt we have been forced to imitate under our oppressors. ■,.'

Psalms 66:11

Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidest affliction upon our loins. Our enemies have pursued us, and.brought us (like to wild beasts taken by the hunter) into most grievous straits, (1 Sam. xiii. G.) They have used us like beasts of burden, and laid sore loads upon us; which they have fast bound upon our backs, (ver. 19, 20.).

Psalms 66:12

Thou hast caused men to rid$ over our heads; xve went through fire and through water; but thou broughtest m out into a wealthy place. Thou hast made us slaves to the vilest of men, who exercise the most insplent tyranny over us: we have endured variety of the sorest miseries; and yet, such is thy goodness, thou hast carried us through them all; and at last brought us into a state of perfect liborty, ease, and plenteous prosperity.

Psalms 66:13

I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I jcill pay thee my vows. I will go therefore into thy house,.and give & good example to all my people: for I will not present myself before thee with empty praises; but acknowledge thy benefits with burnt-offerings, and faithfully discharge the vows wherein I stand engaged.

Psalms 66:14

Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. Which I was not more forward to make with open mouth when I was in distress, than I will be to perform with all solemnity now that thou hast graciously delivered me out of it.

Psalms 66:15

Iwilloffer unto thee burnt-sacrifices of fallings, tvith the incense of rams: Iwilloffer bullocks with goats. Selah. For as I will not come empty into thy house; so I will not bring thee a niggardly present: but offer sacrifices of all sorts; and the best and choicest in every kind.

Psalms 66:16

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declarewhat he hath done for my soul. And together therewith I will make a thankful commemoration of his lovingliindness (which is the most acceptable sacrifice), and let ell pious men know (0 that they would come and hearken to me while I relate!) how good God hath been unto me.

Psalms 66:17

I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. For the ardent prayers which 1 made unto him, in a very low condition, are now turned into the highest praises of his powerful goodness; whereby I am advanced unto a throne.

Psalms 66:18

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord ivill not hear me. Which hath brought along with it a testimony of my sincerity; far more valuable than my kingdom: for if 1 had been guilty of any such crimes, or entertained so much as a thought of them, as my enemies charged me withal; the Lord, who hates iniquity, would have denied me my request.. > • *

Psalms 66:19

But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Which now sure you all see he hath graciously granted; arid thereby cleared my innocence from all the aspersions that were cast upon me.

Psalms 66:20

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. To the praise of God’s infinite goodness be it spoken (not of my own righteous T ness), who did not reject my prayer; but vouchsafed me the mercy which I desired.