The Book of Psalms
Psalm 66
Psalm LXVI · Vol. II, p. 1028
1 David exhorteth to praise God, 5 to observe the great works, 8 to bless him for his gracious benefits. 13 He voweth for himself religious service to God. 16 He declareth God's special goodness to himself.
To the chief musician, A song or psalm.
1 Make a joyful noise unto God, 1all ye lands:2
B.C. cir. 1048.
1 Heb. all the earth, De.32.43. 1 Ch.16.23,24.
2 From the beginning to ver. 12, the plurality of the speakers, and the nature of the sentiments, sufficiently indicate the church engaged in the praises of her great King and Head.—C.
2 Singa forth the honour of his name; make his praise glorious.
a Ps.47.1,6,7; 117.1,2. Ex.xv. Ju.v. 1 Sa.2.1-10, &c.
3 Say bunto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! cthrough the greatness of thy power3 shall thine enemies 4submit themselves5 unto thee.
6 Heg turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 Heh ruleth by his power for ever; ihis eyes behold the nations: jlet not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 Ok bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard;
k De.32.43. Ro.15.9,10. Is.24.15,16; 42.10-12; 49.12,13; 54.1-3; 35.1,2, &c. Re.19.5,6.
9 Which holdeth7 our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
7 Heb. putteth, Ac.17.28. Ps.125.1,2; 121.2-8.
10 For8 thou, O God, lhast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
8 Or, yet.
l Ps.17.3. Job 33.10. 1 Pe.1.6,7. Is.48.10. Zec.13.9.
12 Thou hast caused men oto ride over our heads: we went pthrough fire and through water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy1 place.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt-sacrifices of fatlings,3 with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.4
18 If I vregard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will xnot hear me:5
v Job 11.13-15; 36.21. Pr.28.9. Is.1.15. Ja.4.8.
x Jn.9.31. Job 27.8,9. Pr.15.29.
5 What a lesson ought this to teach! Our prayers are vain; God will not hear them, except they spring from a pure heart. If we cherish wicked passions; if we entertain evil desires; if we give place to feelings of envy, hatred, covetousness, or aught else opposed to the commands of God, our prayers will be but a mockery.—P.
Notes
Ver. 12. Thou hast caused men, &c. The Egyptian horsemen, whose representative descendants continue to this day to pay little regard to the safety of the humbler classes; and would, without compunction or rebuke, literally 'ride over their heads.' The expression here may probably refer to some elevated position in which the Egyptian horse appeared when pursuing Moses and the Israelites to the Red Sea. See ver. 6. C.
Ver. 13. The speaker here, and to the end, is one—one who pays all his vows, and keeps all his resolutions—one so thoroughly wise, that he knows his own heart; and so thoroughly pure, that (ver. 18) he disclaims all iniquity; one whose prayer, consequently, God hath not turned away, ver. 20. Are not these marks sufficient to show that this perfect one is the Christ, entering as High-priest into the holy place? C.
Ver. 15. Rams. These were the offerings of Aaron, the type of our Lord, at the time of his consecration, Le. 8. 18, 22, 28.—Bullocks. One bullock was Aaron's own offering for sin, Le. 8. 1, 14. The second for the peace-offerings of the people, Le. 9. 4. Goats were the sin-offerings of the people, Le. 9. 3, 15,—all types of that 'one sacrifice,' whereby Christ hath 'perfected for ever them that are sanctified.' He. 10. 12, 14. C.
Reflections.—With cordiality and joy ought all men to celebrate the praises of that God who is so great and so good to all. And as our fathers' sins should awaken our sorrows, their mercies should inflame our praise. But quickly shall antichristians and other enemies of our all-governing Lord Jesus be made to bow or be destroyed before him! All the trials of churches or saints, their support and protection in them, and the happy issue of them, ought, and shall be, matter of cordial and lasting praise: and to make vows in an evangelical manner when under trouble is truly commendable; but much care must always be taken for the speedy and exact performance of them. To testify our gratitude to God, and to encourage others in his way, we ought prudently to communicate our most noted experiences of his goodness and grace. No duty performed amidst indulged wickedness can be acceptable to God. But such as in faith pour out their hearts unto God without any allowed guile, may now begin their praises and thanksgiving, in the confidence that their requests are accepted, and shall in due time be answered.