Psalms 66

1 Make a joyful [glad, triumphant] noise [shout, cry out] to God [Elohim, the supreme One], all [everything, the whole] the earth [land, world, territory]! word study 2 Sing [with instruments, in praise] the glory [honor, splendor] of His name [identity, character]; make His praise [a song of praise] glorious [honorable, full of splendor]. word study 3 Say [speak, declare, proclaim] to God [Elohim, the supreme One], “How awesome [fearful, to be revered] are Your deeds [works, actions]! So great [abundant, mighty] is Your power [strength, might] that Your enemies [adversaries, those who oppose You] cower [submit, bow down] before You [in Your presence, to Your authority]. word study 4 All [the entire world, everything] the earth [land, creation] bows down [in worship, prostrates itself] to You; they sing praise [make music] to You; they sing [joyfully, with celebration] praise to Your name [identity, character, reputation].” Selah word study 5 Come [and think about, behold] and see [observe, look after] the works [mighty acts, deeds] of God [Elohim, the supreme One]; how awesome [fearful, to be revered] are His deeds [great exploits, achievements] toward [on behalf of, regarding] mankind [the children of men, humanity]. word study 6 He turned [completely reversed, overturned] the sea [the Red Sea, a large body of water] into dry land [a parched and barren terrain]; they passed [crossed over, transitioned] through the waters [the river] on foot [by walking, with their own feet]; there [in that place, at that time] we rejoiced [felt great joy, were glad] in Him [the Lord, their Savior]. word study 7 He rules [by His mighty power, forever reigning] forever by His power [might, strength]; His eyes watch [observing] the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples]. Do not [let it not be] let the rebellious [those who turn away, stubborn ones] exalt [lift themselves up, pride themselves] themselves. Selah word study 8 Bless [praise, honor] our God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], O peoples [nations, all people]; let the sound [voice, audible expression] of His praise [a song of praise] be heard [loudly, with attention and obedience]. word study 9 He [who hath placed our soul in life] preserves [keeps, holds in life] our lives [souls, living beings] and keeps [suffereth not, does not allow] our feet [steps, paths] from slipping [being moved, stumbling]. word study 10 For You, O God [Elohim, the supreme Being], have tested [proven, examined] us; You have refined [purified, tried] us like [as precious] silver [a valuable metal]. word study 11 You led [brought, guided] us into the net [snare, trap, fortress]; You laid [placed, set] burdens [affliction, distress, pressure] on our backs [loins, hips, waist]. word study 12 You let men [human beings, people] ride [to place someone on a horse or chariot, to trample] over our heads [as a sign of dominance or oppression]; we went [to enter, to come] through fire [burning, flame] and water [a source of refreshment or flooding], but You brought [to lead out, to guide] us into abundance [a state of having more than enough, being satisfied or full]. word study 13 I will enter [come into, go to] Your house [temple, dwelling place] with burnt offerings [completely burned on the altar]; I will fulfill [pay, complete] my vows [promises, debts] to You— word study 14 the vows [promises, utterances] that my lips [language, edge of the mouth] promised [spoken, uttered] and my mouth [edge, border] spoke [communicated, declared] in my distress [trouble, narrow place, affliction]. word study 15 I will offer You [fat and healthy] fatlings as [completely consumed] burnt offerings, with the fragrant [fragrant and pleasing] smoke of rams [symbolizing strength and power]; I will offer [domesticated] bulls and [full-grown male] goats [for sacrifice]. Selah word study 16 Come [approach, draw near] and listen [hear and obey], all you who [reverently] fear [are in awe of, reverence] God [Elohim, the supreme God], and I will declare [recount, tell] what He has done [accomplished, made] for me. word study 17 I cried out [with urgent need, to call upon] to Him [toward the Almighty] with my mouth [my lips, the edge of my voice] and praised [extolled, lifted up] Him with my tongue [the instrument of speech, my language]. word study 18 If [in the event that, supposing] I had cherished [focused my mind on, regarded] iniquity [evil, wickedness] in my heart [mind, feelings, will], the Lord [Adonay, God, the supreme ruler] would not [under no circumstances] have listened [heard, given attention]. word study 19 But God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] has surely [verily, truly] heard [listened to, given attention to]; He has attended to [listened carefully to] the sound [voice] of my prayer [supplication, request to God]. word study 20 Blessed [praised, worshiped] be God [Elohim, the supreme God], who has not [never] rejected [turned away, ignored] my prayer [supplication, request] or withheld [turned aside, removed] from me His [with me, near me] loving devotion [kindness, mercy, lovingkindness]! word study