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Psalms 66

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Make a joyful noiseהָרִ֥יעוּhā·rî·‘ū — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study → to Godלֵ֝אלֹהִיםlê·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָֽרֶץ׃hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →! 2Singזַמְּר֥וּzam·mə·rū — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → the gloryכְבֽוֹד־ḵə·ḇō·wḏ- — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → of His nameשְׁמ֑וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →; makeשִׂ֥ימוּśî·mū — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → His praiseתְּהִלָּתֽוֹ׃tə·hil·lā·ṯōw — Praise, song of praise, object of praiseH8416 — Full Word Study → gloriousכָ֝ב֗וֹדḵā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study →. 3Sayאִמְר֣וּ’im·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Godלֵ֭אלֹהִיםlê·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, “Howמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → awesomeנּוֹרָ֣אnō·w·rā — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → are Your deedsמַעֲשֶׂ֑יךָma·‘ă·śe·ḵā — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →! So great is Yourבְּרֹ֥בbə·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → powerעֻ֝זְּךָ֗‘uz·zə·ḵā — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → that Your enemiesאֹיְבֶֽיךָ׃’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → cower before Youיְֽכַחֲשׁ֖וּyə·ḵa·ḥă·šū — to deceive, lie, or deal falselyH3584 — Full Word Study →. 4Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֤רֶץ׀hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → bows downיִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּyiš·ta·ḥă·wū — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study → to You; they sing praiseוִֽיזַמְּרוּ־wî·zam·mə·rū- — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to You; they sing praiseיְזַמְּר֖וּyə·zam·mə·rū — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → to Your nameשִׁמְךָ֣šim·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →.” Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 5Comeלְכ֣וּlə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and seeוּ֭רְאוּū·rə·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the worksמִפְעֲל֣וֹתmip̄·‘ă·lō·wṯ — work, deed, or performanceH4659 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִ֑ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; how awesomeנוֹרָ֥אnō·w·rā — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → are His deedsעֲ֝לִילָ֗ה‘ă·lî·lāh — deed, action, or workH5949 — Full Word Study → towardעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → mankindאָדָֽם׃’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 6He turnedהָ֤פַךְhā·p̄aḵ — to overturn, turn over, transformH2015 — Full Word Study → the seaיָ֨ם׀yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → into dry landלְֽיַבָּשָׁ֗הlə·yab·bā·šāh — Dry land; the earth or ground as opposed to waterH3004 — Full Word Study →; they passed throughיַֽעַבְר֣וּya·‘aḇ·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the watersבַּ֭נָּהָרban·nā·hār — River, StreamH5104 — Full Word Study → on footבְרָ֑גֶלḇə·rā·ḡel — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study →; thereשָׁ֝֗םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → we rejoicedנִשְׂמְחָה־niś·mə·ḥāh- — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → in Him. 7He rulesמֹ֘שֵׁ֤לmō·šêl — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → foreverעוֹלָ֗ם‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → by His powerבִּגְבוּרָת֨וֹ׀biḡ·ḇū·rā·ṯōw — Mighty power, strength, or valorH1369 — Full Word Study →; His eyesעֵ֭ינָיו‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → watchתִּצְפֶּ֑ינָהtiṣ·pe·nāh — to watch, keep watch, observe carefullyH6822 — Full Word Study → the nationsבַּגּוֹיִ֣םbag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →. Do not letאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → the rebelliousהַסּוֹרְרִ֓ים׀has·sō·wr·rîm — to rebel, turn away, be stubbornH5637 — Full Word Study → exaltיָרִימוּyå̄·rī·mū — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → themselves. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 8Blessבָּרְכ֖וּbā·rə·ḵū — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → our Godאֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, O peoplesעַמִּ֥ים׀‘am·mîm — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →; let the soundק֣וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of His praiseתְּהִלָּתֽוֹ׃tə·hil·lā·ṯōw — Praise, song of praise, object of praiseH8416 — Full Word Study → be heardוְ֝הַשְׁמִ֗יעוּwə·haš·mî·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →. 9He preservesהַשָּׂ֣םhaś·śām — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → ourנַ֭פְשֵׁנוּnap̄·šê·nū — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → livesבַּֽחַיִּ֑יםba·ḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → and keepsוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → our feetרַגְלֵֽנוּ׃raḡ·lê·nū — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → from slippingלַמּ֣וֹטlam·mō·wṭ — Yoke; bar; wooden frame joining animalsH4132 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You, O God, have tested usבְחַנְתָּ֥נוּḇə·ḥan·tā·nū — to test, examine, or prove through trialH974 — Full Word Study →; You have refined usצְ֝רַפְתָּ֗נוּṣə·rap̄·tā·nū — to refine, purify, test by fireH6884 — Full Word Study → like silverכָּֽסֶף׃kā·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →. 11You led usהֲבֵאתָ֥נוּhă·ḇê·ṯā·nū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → into the netבַמְּצוּדָ֑הḇam·mə·ṣū·ḏāh — Net, snare, stronghold, fortressH4686 — Full Word Study →; You laidשַׂ֖מְתָּśam·tā — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → burdensמוּעָקָ֣הmū·‘ā·qāh — Distress, affliction, or anguishH4157 — Full Word Study → on our backsבְמָתְנֵֽינוּ׃ḇə·mā·ṯə·nê·nū — loins, waist, side of the bodyH4975 — Full Word Study →. 12You let menאֱנ֗וֹשׁ’ĕ·nō·wōš — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → rideהִרְכַּ֥בְתָּhir·kaḇ·tā — to ride, mount, or be carriedH7392 — Full Word Study → over our headsלְרֹ֫אשֵׁ֥נוּlə·rō·šê·nū — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →; we wentבָּֽאנוּ־bā·nū- — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → through fireבָאֵ֥שׁḇā·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → and waterוּבַמַּ֑יִםū·ḇam·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, but You brought usוַ֝תּוֹצִיאֵ֗נוּwat·tō·w·ṣî·’ê·nū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → into abundanceלָֽרְוָיָֽה׃lā·rə·wā·yāh — Abundance, plenty, overflowH7310 — Full Word Study →. 13I will enterאָב֣וֹא’ā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → Your houseבֵיתְךָ֣ḇê·ṯə·ḵā — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → with burnt offeringsבְעוֹל֑וֹתḇə·‘ō·w·lō·wṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study →; I will fulfillאֲשַׁלֵּ֖ם’ă·šal·lêm — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → my vowsנְדָרָֽי׃nə·ḏā·rāy — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → to You— 14the vows that my lipsשְׂפָתָ֑יśə·p̄ā·ṯāy — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → promisedפָּצ֥וּpā·ṣū — to open wide; to deliver or set freeH6475 — Full Word Study → and my mouthפִּ֝֗יpî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → spokeוְדִבֶּר־wə·ḏib·ber- — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → in my distressבַּצַּר־baṣ·ṣar- — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study →. 15I will offerאַעֲלֶה־’a·‘ă·leh- — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → You fatlingsמֵחִ֣יםmê·ḥîm — fattened animal, fatling, prime livestockH4220 — Full Word Study → as burnt offeringsעֹ֘ל֤וֹת‘ō·lō·wṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study →, withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the fragrant smokeקְטֹ֣רֶתqə·ṭō·reṯ — Fragrant incense; sweet-smelling smoke offeringH7004 — Full Word Study → of ramsאֵילִ֑ים’ê·lîm — strength, mighty one, ram, pillarH352 — Full Word Study →; I will offerאֶ֥עֱשֶֽׂה’e·‘ĕ·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → bullsבָקָ֖רḇā·qār — cattle, herd, ox, bovine livestockH1241 — Full Word Study → andעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → goatsעַתּוּדִ֣ים‘at·tū·ḏîm — male goat; leader or chiefH6260 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 16Comeלְכֽוּ־lə·ḵū- — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and listenשִׁמְע֣וּšim·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, all youכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who fearיִרְאֵ֣יyir·’ê — to fear, be afraid, dreadH3373 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִ֑ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and I will declareוַ֭אֲסַפְּרָהwa·’ă·sap·pə·rāh — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → whatאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → He has doneעָשָׂ֣ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → for meלְנַפְשִֽׁי׃lə·nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 17I cried outקָרָ֑אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to Himאֵלָ֥יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → with my mouthפִּֽי־pî- — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → and praised Himוְ֝רוֹמַ֗םwə·rō·w·mam — to be exalted, to be lifted up in honorH7318 — Full Word Study → withתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → my tongueלְשׁוֹנִֽי׃lə·šō·w·nî — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study →. 18Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → I had cherishedרָאִ֣יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → iniquityאָ֭וֶן’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study → in my heartבְלִבִּ֑יḇə·lib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →, the Lordאֲדֹנָֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → would notלֹ֖אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → have listenedיִשְׁמַ֣ע׀yiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →. 19But Godאֱלֹהִ֑ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has surelyאָ֭כֵן’ā·ḵên — Surely, certainly, trulyH403 — Full Word Study → heardשָׁמַ֣עšā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →; He has attendedהִ֝קְשִׁ֗יבhiq·šîḇ — To listen attentively; to give heedH7181 — Full Word Study → to the soundבְּק֣וֹלbə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of my prayerתְּפִלָּתִֽי׃tə·p̄il·lā·ṯî — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study →. 20Blessedבָּר֥וּךְbā·rūḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → be God, whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → rejectedהֵסִ֘ירhê·sîr — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → my prayerתְּפִלָּתִ֥יtə·p̄il·lā·ṯî — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study → or withheld from meמֵאִתִּֽי׃mê·’it·tî — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionוְ֝חַסְדּ֗וֹwə·ḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 66
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 66 is a corporate hymn of praise that celebrates God's power, faithfulness, and redemptive work. The psalmist begins by calling all the earth to worship God for His terrible (awe-inspiring) works, then shifts to a personal testimony of trials overcome and vows fulfilled. This psalm beautifully weaves together public worship, historical remembrance of God's past deliverances, and intimate personal witness, inviting the congregation to hear how the Lord has proven Himself faithful in the singer's own life.

Verses 1-4: A Call to Universal Praise

The psalm opens with an exuberant summons to worship: "Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands" (v. 1). The word "joyful" speaks of enthusiastic, uninhibited celebration—not a quiet, somber acknowledgment but a loud, whole-hearted offering of praise. Verse 2 calls believers to magnify God's honour and make His praise "glorious," elevating the worth of His name above all else. In verse 3, the psalmist attributes God's supremacy to His "terrible" works and "greatness of power"—words that capture both divine might and holiness that should evoke reverent awe. Verse 4 envisions a day when "all the earth shall worship thee," a promise that finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ's future reign. The word Selah (v. 4) is a musical pause, inviting worshippers to pause and let the magnitude of this truth settle in their hearts.

Application: This section reminds us that worship is not primarily about our feelings but about God's objective greatness. We are invited to join a chorus that spans all creation, praising the One whose power no enemy can resist.

Verses 5-7: Remembering God's Historic Deliverances

The psalmist now calls listeners to "come and see the works of God" (v. 5), directing attention to specific historical acts. Verse 6 recalls the crossing of the Red Sea—the most foundational deliverance in Israel's corporate memory: "He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him." This is not mere recitation of ancient history; it is a call to participate in the joy and faith that animated those who witnessed God's power firsthand. Verse 7 celebrates God's eternal rule: He "ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations." The promise that He will not allow "the rebellious" to exalt themselves is both comfort to the righteous and warning to the wicked.

Application: God's past deliverances are our inheritance. When we recall how He has worked in history and in the lives of those who came before us, our faith is strengthened for present trials.

Verses 8-12: From Testing to Triumph

Here the tone becomes more personal. The psalmist asks God's people to bless Him because He "holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved" (v. 9). Then comes honest testimony: God has "proved us" and "tried us, as silver is tried" (v. 10)—a metaphor indicating that affliction refines faith rather than destroying it. Verses 11-12 catalogue the hardships: nets, afflictions, oppression, fire, and water. Yet the climax is redemptive: "but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." The trials were real and severe, but God's deliverance was complete.

Application: Suffering in the Christian life is not a sign of God's abandonment but often a sign of His refining work. As we endure, we grow in faith and emerge into greater spiritual abundance.

Verses 13-15: Vows and Offerings

The psalmist now fulfils his vows (v. 13). Made during trouble, these promises are now being honoured through specific offerings: burnt sacrifices, fatlings, incense, bullocks, and goats. This reflects deep gratitude expressed through concrete action and cost.

Verses 16-20: Personal Testimony and Final Blessing

The psalmist invites others to hear his testimony (v. 16). He testifies that he cried out with his whole person—mouth and tongue (v. 17)—yet warns that unconfessed sin hinders prayer (v. 18). However, the great affirmation is that "God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer" (v. 19). The psalm closes with confident blessing: "Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me" (v. 20).

Application for Today

Psalm 66 teaches us to worship with our whole being, to remember God's faithfulness, to trust Him through trials, and to testify boldly to others of His goodness. In Christ, we have access to the Father's throne in prayer and the assurance that He hears and responds with mercy. Let us join in joyful praise and faithful witness.

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