PSALM 66

Psalms 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 Psalms 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 Psalms 65:8 ).
submit--(Compare Margin), show a forced subjection ( Psalms 18:44 ), produced by terror.

5, 6. The terrible works illustrated in Israel's history ( Exodus 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 ( Psalms 30:3 , 49:15 ).
to be moved--(Compare Psalms 10:6 , 55:22 ).

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

11. affliction--literally, "pressure," or, as in Psalms 55:3 , "oppression," which, laid on the
loins--the seat of strength ( Deuteronomy 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 Isaiah 43:2 , Ezekiel 36:12 ).
wealthy--literally, "overflowing," or, "irrigated," and hence fertile.

13-15. These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of vows ( Leviticus 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 ( Psalms 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."