Commentary Critical And Explanatory On The Whole Bible

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."

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.

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.

5, 6. The terrible works illustrated in Israel's history (Ex 14:21). By this example let rebels be admonished.

7. behold the nations -- watch their conduct.

8, 9. Here is, perhaps, cited a case of recent deliverance.

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).

10-12. Out of severe trials, God had brought them to safety (compare Isa 48:10; 1Pe 1:7).

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.

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.

13-15. These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of vows (Le 22:18-23).

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.

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.

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.

18. If I regard iniquity in my heart -- literally, "see iniquity with pleasure."