The name of the author of this psalm is unknown. There is no certain evidence that it was composed by David, yet there is nothing in the psalm itself which is inconsistent with the supposition that he was the author. Perhaps the most natural and obvious interpretation of Psalms 66:13, would be that... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO GOD - literally, “Shout.” It is a call for exultation and praise. ALL YE LANDS - Margin, as in Hebrew, all the earth. The occasion was one that made universal exultation and praise proper. They who had been so deeply affected by the gracious interposition of God, could not... [ Continue Reading ]
SING FORTH THE HONOR OF HIS NAME - That is, Celebrate in appropriate praise the honor due to his name. Make that honor known in connection with songs. MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS - literally, “place honor, his praise;” that is, Give him honor; give him praise. The meaning is, Set forth his praise with... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY UNTO GOD - In your songs of praise. Let your songs be directly addressed to him, setting forth the grounds of that praise, or the reasons why it is due to him. HOW TERRIBLE ART THOU IN THY WORKS! - How fearful! how much to be reverenced! The meaning is, that the manifestations of his power and... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP THEE - That is, all the inhabitants of the world will bow down before thee, or render thee homage. The time will come when thy right to reign will be universally acknowledged, or when thou wilt everywhere be adored as the true God. This is in accordance with all the state... [ Continue Reading ]
COME AND SEE THE WORKS OF GOD - See the notes at Psalms 46:8, where substantially the same expression occurs. The idea is, “Come and see what God has done and is doing; come and learn from this what he is; and let your hearts in view of all this, be excited to gratitude and praise.” The particular r... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TURNED THE SEA INTO DRY LAND - The Red Sea, when he brought his people out of Egypt, Exodus 14:21. This was an illustration of his power, and of his ability to defend and deliver his people. The terror in that case, or that which was “terrible,” was the overthrow of their enemies the destruction... [ Continue Reading ]
HE RULETH BY HIS POWER FOR EVER - literally, “Ruling by his power forever.” The idea is, that he does this constantly; in each age and generation. He never has ceased to rule; he never will. His dominion extends from age to age, and will stretch forward forever. The power which he evinced in deliver... [ Continue Reading ]
O BLESS OUR GOD, YE PEOPLE - That is, particularly the people of the nation; the Hebrew people. The call here to praise or bless God is on account of some special benefit which had been conferred on them, and which is referred to more particularly in the following verses. It was his gracious interpo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HOLDETH OUR SOUL IN LIFE - Margin, as in Hebrew, putteth. That is, He has put (or placed) us in a state of safety. The word rendered “in life” means literally “among the living.” The word soul here is equivalent to us - ourselves; and the idea is, that he keeps us among the living. What is her... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU, O GOD, HAST PROVED US - That is, Thou hast tried us; thou hast tested the reality of our attachment to thee, as silver is tried by the application of fire. God had proved or tried them by bringing calamity upon them to test the reality of their allegiance to him. The nature of the proof or... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU BROUGHTEST US INTO THE NET - That is, Thou hast suffered or permitted us to be brought into the net; thou hast suffered us to be taken captive, as beasts are caught in a snare. See the notes at Psalms 9:15. The allusion here is to the efforts made by their enemies to take them, as hunters lay g... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST CAUSED MEN TO RIDE OVER OUR HEADS - This refers evidently to some national subjection or conquest - most probably to their having been subdued by the Babylonians. Professor Alexander renders this, “Thou hast caused men to ride at our head,” as if leading them forth as captives in war. The... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GO INTO THY HOUSE WITH BURNT-OFFERIINGS - To thy temple - the place of worship. This is language designed to represent the feelings and the purpose of the people. If the psalm was composed on occasion of the return from the Babylonian captivity, it means that, as their first act, the people w... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH MY LIPS HAVE UTTERED ... - Margin, “opened.” The Hebrew word, however - פצה _pâtsâh_ - means properly to tear apart; to rend; and then, to open wide, as the mouth, for example - or the throat, - as wild beasts do, Psalms 22:13. Then it means to open the mouth in scorn Lamentations 2:16; Lame... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL OFFER UNTO THEE BURNT SACRIFICES OF FATLINGS - Margin, marrow. On the word rendered “burnt-offerings” see the notes at Isaiah 1:11. The word rendered “fatlings” is rendered in Isaiah 5:17, lambs. It may be applied to any animal considered as fat - a qualification required in sacrifices to be... [ Continue Reading ]
COME AND HEAR, ALL YE THAT FEAR GOD - All who are true worshippers of God - the idea of fear or reverence being put for worship in general. The call is on all who truly loved God to hear what he had done, in order that he might be suitably honored, and that due praise might be given him. AND I WILL... [ Continue Reading ]
I CRIED UNTO HIM WITH MY MOUTH - That is, in my trouble; when distress came upon me. This, according to the explanation of the design of the psalm given above, is one individual speaking on behalf of the nation, or uttering the sentiment of the people. At the same time, however, all this is language... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I REGARD INIQUITY IN MY HEART - literally, “If I have seen iniquity in my heart.” That is, If I have indulged in a purpose of iniquity; if I have had a wicked end in view; if I have not been willing to forsake all sin; if I have cherished a purpose of pollution or wrong. The meaning is not litera... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT VERILY GOD HATH HEARD ME ... - That is, He has given me evidence that he has heard my prayer; and, in doing this, he has thus given me the assurance also that I do not regard iniquity in my heart. The evidence that he has heard me is at the same time proof to my mind that I do not love sin. As i... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE GOD, WHICH HATH NOT TURNED AWAY MY PRAYER - That is, It is fit that I should praise and adore God for the fact that he has graciously condescended to listen to the voice of my supplications. NOR HIS MERCY FROM ME - There is no more proper ground of praise than the fact that God hears pray... [ Continue Reading ]