Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 66

This anonymous psalm includes two hymns (Psalm 66:1–12, 13–20) that praise God for saving his people.

The psalmist urges nature to join a powerful song to praise God's glory, name, and power.

The glory of his name represents the perfection of God’s character.

God defeats his enemies (see Psalm 18:44; 59:11; 81:15).

The story of the exodus and God's victory over the sea causes the people to be amazed (Psalm 66:5) and to worship (66:6). God performs miracles to redeem people for himself.

God's power brings redemption. The same word appears in Psalm 65:6 to describe God's power in creation (see also Psalm 80:2).

The orderly lives of the redeemed reflect the order of God’s world. The Lord protects them from evil and purifies them.

God guides his people into wisdom and away from foolishness (Psalms 17:5; 37:31; 121:3).

For You, O God, have tested us: Like a silversmith heats silver to remove impurities, God's discipline removes sin from his people (see Psalm 12:6).

God decrees and permits the many trying circumstances his people experience.

You let men ride over our heads: Or You made people rule over us. This likely refers to a foreign ruler who controlled the Israelites.

Vows often included sacrifices of thanksgiving, including burnt offerings (see Psalms 20:3; 40:6; 50:8; 51:19).

The private testimony at the end of the psalm matches the public praise at the beginning (Psalm 66:1–4).

Confession leads to restoration (see Psalm 32:5).