Psalm 66
Israel Calls on the Nations to Bless Their God
Israel Calls on the Nations to Bless Their God
Psalm 66. This Psalm is not officially credited to David, but perhaps it was written by him. Notice that Psalms 66 – 68 are all titled, “A Song: a Psalm”, and Psalm 68 is accredited to David. In this Psalm we have Israel, assured of the their own deliverance, and now turning to the surrounding nations and calling on them to bless their God.
PSALM 66
To the chief Musician. A Song: a Psalm.
1 Shout aloud unto God, all the earth:
2 Sing forth the glory of his name, make his praise glorious;
3 Say unto God, How terrible are thy works! because of the greatness of thy strength, thine enemies come cringing unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and sing psalms unto thee: they shall sing forth thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doings toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the river on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes observe the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
vv.1-7 God Praised for His Works of Power. Restored Israel calls on the nations of the earth to shout and sing to God, sounding forth the glory of His name. The theme of this praise is the “terrible” works of God in judgment. The result of His judgment is that His enemies “come cringing” unto Him. Perhaps this is a reference to the sessional judgment. Read more… The whole earth is called upon to worship God. The deliverance of Israel in prophecy is correlated to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt when they passed through the Red Sea on dry land, when they went through the Jordan River on foot. There is also a warning (v.7) to the nations that God is in power and He is watching all the nations. No rebellion will be tolerated.
8 Bless our God, ye peoples, and make the voice of his praise to be heard;
9 Who hath set our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into a net, thou didst lay a heavy burden upon our loins;
12 Thou didst cause men to ride over our head; we went through fire and through water: but thou hast brought us out into abundance.
vv.8-12 God Praised for Delivering Israel. Israel again calls on the peoples of the earth to bless God, but this time it is more specifically for His deliverance of Israel. They speak in passing of the great tribulation they have passed through; “thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into a net, thou didst lay a heavy burden upon our loins; Thou didst cause men to ride over our head; we went through fire and through water”. But after it all, God brought them into an abundance of blessing in the kingdom.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will perform my vows to thee,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer up unto thee burnt-offerings of fatted beasts, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
vv.13-15 Vows Paid with Sacrifices. In response to the manifestation of who God is by His glorious works of power, and in thanksgiving for His deliverance of Israel, the faithful will perform their vows which they had made when they were “in trouble”. This will be accompanied by offerings burnt offerings offered in the Millennium.
16 Come, hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I called unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 Had I regarded iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not hear.
19 But God hath heard; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his loving-kindness from me!
vv.16-20 God Praised for Answering Prayers. Israel now calls specifically on the believing nations to hear. God is to be praised for what He has done for Israel. Restored Israel reflects on the fact that they have had to pass judgment on the “iniquity” in their hearts, and that as a result, the Lord has brought them into their full blessing. God is to be blessed because He has heard their prayers, and loved them unchangingly!