PSALM LXVI _The psalmist exhorts all to praise God for the wonders he has_ _wrought_, 1-4; _calls on Israel to consider his mighty acts in behalf of their_ _fathers_, 5-7; _his goodness in their own behalf_, 8-12; _he resolves to pay his vows to God, and offer his promised_ _sacrifices_, 13-1... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:2. _THE HONOUR OF HIS NAME_] Let his glorious and merciful acts be the _subject_ of your songs.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:3. _HOW TERRIBLE_ art thou ] Consider the plagues with which he afflicted Egypt before he brought your fathers from their captivity, which obliged all his enemies to submit. _THINE ENEMIES SUBMIT THEMSELVES_] Literally, _lie unto thee_. This was remarkably the case with _Pharaoh_ an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:4. _ALL THE EARTH_] The whole land shall worship _thee_. There shall no more an _idol_ be found among the tribes of Israel. This was literally true. After the Babylonish captivity the Israelites never relapsed into idolatry. _SELAH._] Remark it: this is a well attested truth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:5. _COME AND SEE THE WORKS OF GOD_] Let every man lay God's wonderful dealings with us to heart; and compare our deliverance from _Babylon_ to that of our fathers from _Egypt_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:6. _HE TURNED THE SEA INTO DRY LAND_] This was a plain miracle: no human art or contrivance could do this. Even in the bed of the waters THEY _did rejoice in him_. WE have not less cause to praise and be thankful.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:7. _HE RULETH BY HIS POWER_] His _omnipotence_ is employed to support his followers, and cast down his enemies. _HIS EYES BEHOLD THE NATIONS_] He sees what they purpose, what they intend to do; and what they will do, if he restrain them not. _LET NOT THE REBELLIOUS EXALT THEMSELVES... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:8. _O BLESS OUR GOD_] Who have so much cause as you to sing praises to the Lord? Hear what he has done for you:... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:9. _WHICH HOLDETH OUR SOUL IN LIFE_] Literally, "he who placeth our soul בחיים _bachaiyim_, in lives." We are preserved _alive_, have _health_ of body, and feel the _life_ of God in our hearts. _AND SUFFERETH NOT HER FEET TO BE MOVED._] Keeps us steadfast in his testimonies. We have... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:10. _FOR THOU, O GOD, HAST PROVED US_] This is a metaphor taken from _melting_ and _refining metals_; afflictions and trials of various kinds are represented as a _furnace_ where _ore_ is melted, and a _crucible_ where it is _refined_. And this metaphor is used especially to represen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:11. _THOU BROUGHTEST US INTO THE NET_] This refers well to the case of the Israelites, when, in their departure from Egypt, pursued by the Egyptians, having the Red Sea before them, and no method of escape, Pharaoh said, "The wilderness hath shut them in,-they are entangled;" compari... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:12. _THOU HAST CAUSED MEN TO RIDE OVER OUR HEADS_] Thou hast permitted us to fall under the dominion of our enemies; who have treated us as broken infantry are when the cavalry dashes among their disordered ranks, treading all under the horses' feet. _WE WENT THROUGH FIRE AND THROU... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:13. _I WILL GO INTO THY HOUSE WITH BURNT-OFFERINGS_] Now that thou hast restored us to our own land, and established us in it, we will establish thy worship, and offer all the various kinds of sacrifices required by thy law. _I WILL PAY THEE MY VOWS_] We often _vowed_, if thou woul... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:14. _WHEN I WAS IN TROUBLE._] This is generally the time when good resolutions are formed, and vows made; but how often are these forgotten when affliction and calamity are removed!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:15. _I WILL OFFER, C._] Thou shalt have the best of the herd and of the fold the lame and the blind shall never be given to thee for sacrifice. _THE INCENSE OF RAMS_] The fine effluvia arising from the burning of the pure fat.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:16. _COME_ AND _HEAR, ALL YE THAT FEAR GOD_] While in captivity, the psalmist had sought the Lord with frequent prayer for his own personal salvation, and for the deliverance of the people; and God blessed him, heard his prayer, and turned the captivity. Now that he is returned in sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:17. _I CRIED UNTO HIM WITH MY MOUTH_] My prayer was fervent; he heard and answered; and my tongue celebrated his mercies; and he as graciously received my _thanksgiving_, as he compassionately heard my _prayer_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:18. _IF I REGARD INIQUITY IN MY HEART_] "If I have seen (ראיתי _raithi_) iniquity in my heart," if I have known it was there, and _encouraged_ it; if I _pretended_ to be what I _was not_; if I _loved iniquity_, while I _professed to pray_ and be _sorry for my_ _sin; the Lord_, אדני A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:19. _VERILY GOD HATH HEARD ME_] A sure proof that my prayer was upright, and my heart honest, before him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 66:20. _BLESSED_ BE _GOD_] I therefore praise God, who has not turned aside my prayer, and who has not withheld his mercy from me. Thus he told them what God had done for his soul. ANALYSIS OF THE SIXTY-SIXTH PSALM There are _five parts_ in this Psalm: - I. An _invitation_. 1. To pr... [ Continue Reading ]