Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 66
Verses 1-20
PSALM 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."
Verses 2
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.
Verses 3
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.
Verses 4-5
5, 6. The terrible works illustrated in Israel's history (Ex 14:21). By this example let rebels be admonished.
Verses 6-7
7. behold the nations—watch their conduct.
Verses 8
8, 9. Here is, perhaps, cited a case of recent deliverance.
Verses 9
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).
Verses 10
10-12. Out of severe trials, God had brought them to safety (compare Isa 48:10; 1Pe 1:7).
Verses 11
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.
Verses 12
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.
Verses 13
13-15. These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of vows (Le 22:18-23).
Verses 14-15
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.
Verses 16
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.
Verses 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.
Verses 18
18. If I regard iniquity in my heart—literally, "see iniquity with pleasure."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871). Public domain.