Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 66

Make a joyful noise. See on Ps. 98:6.

Ellen G. White

Honour. Heb. kabod, also meaning “glory,” and appropriately so rendered here (see Ps. 62:7; 72:19). Name. See on Ps 5:11; 7:17.

Terrible. God’s deliverances of the persecuted are terrible to the persecutors (see on Ps. 65:5; cf. Rev. 15:3). Submit themselves. Heb. kachash, “to feign obedience,” “to cringe” (see Ps. 18:44). The submission referred to here is hollow, insincere, feigned; induced only by the show of God’s power. True submission of heart is induced by the revelation of God’s love.

All the earth. See on Ps. 22:27. Name. See on Ps. 5:11; 7:17. Selah. See on p. 629.

Come and see. See on Ps. 46:8.

He turned the sea. A reference to the crossing of the Red Sea (see Ex. 14:21, 22; Ex. 15:1–21). Through the flood. A reference to the crossing of the Jordan (see Joshua 3:14–17). With poetic license the psalmist unites this epic episode with that of the Red Sea crossing in one grand picture of God’s interposition for Israel. Did we rejoice. The joy of the Hebrews was expressed in song (see Ex. 15:1–21).

Behold. God is continually keeping watch to see how the nations behave (see on Ps. 11:4; see PK 535, 536). He is jealous for His people, and will not permit them to be crushed by the enemy. “… Behind the dim unknownStandeth God within the shadow,keeping watch above his own.” JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL,“The Present Crisis.” The rebellious. Those who are impatient under God’s restraint, or who defy God. These should not be lifted up with pride, for they must eventually submit to God’s power. Selah. See on p. 629.

Ye people. Or, “O ye peoples”; the Hebrew is plural, evidently referring to the nations. Verses 8–12 constitute the third stanza, the heart of the psalm, in which the people are invited to praise God for deliverance before uniting with the psalmist in the act of sacrifice (vs. 13–15).

Our soul. Here used idiomatically for “us” (see on Ps. 16:10). God’s people had been preserved alive despite the danger suffered (see Ps. 3:2; 7:2). To be moved. See Ps. 121:3; Prov. 3:23, 26.

Hast proved. God had allowed calamity to come upon Israel as a test of her loyalty to Him. As silver is tried. See Zech. 13:9; 1 Peter 1:6, 7; cf. Ps. 12:6. Anciently the refining of silver was a slow process. Israel had suffered long.

Into the net. As wild animals are trapped in a snare (see Hosea 7:12). Affliction. God never allows His people to be tried beyond their strength (see 1 Cor. 10:13). This verse may allude to the affliction of bondage in Egypt.

Men. Heb. ’enosh, “man in his frailty” (see on Ps. 8:4; 9:19). Ride over our heads. A figure, perhaps derived from the ancient custom of Oriental conquerors victoriously riding over the bodies of the conquered. Through fire and through water. This phrase, now part and parcel of the English language, is a graphic representation of the many dangers to which men are exposed. Wealthy place. Heb. rewayah, “abundance [of drink].” Rewayah occurs elsewhere only in Ps. 23:5, where it is translated “runneth over” (literally, “an overflowing”). Perhaps the idea of “abundance” is intended, and the psalmist is asserting that God has brought the Israelites into a state of abundance. The LXX has anapsuche, as if from the Heb. rewachah, meaning “relief,” “respite.” If rewachah is the correct reading, then there is perhaps an allusion to the relief experienced when the children of Israel reached the Promised Land.

Burnt offerings. See Vol. I, pp. 698–700; cf. Isa. 1:11. Verses 13–15 form the fourth stanza. The change of pronouns here illustrated is common in Hebrew literature. Vows. The promises that David had made (see on Ps. 22:25; Ps. 50:14). The Mosaic law had regulations concerning various kinds of vows (see Lev. 27:1–8; see on Lev. 27:9–30; Num. 6:2–21).

Have uttered. The lips opened under the influence of deep emotion. In trouble. Especially in times of trouble men are prone to make promise to God (see Judges 11:30, 31; 1 Sam. 1:11). How careful they should be to keep these promises! How often they forget them, when health and prosperity return.

Burnt sacrifices of fatlings. That is, of fatted animals suitable for sacrifice. Bullocks with goats. Both were required in the worship prescribed by Moses (on the use of these animals in sacrifices, see Vol. I, pp. 698–703). Selah. See on p. 629.

All ye that fear God. David was willing to bear witness to God’s goodness before all, whether they were his countrymen or not (see on 2 Sam. 15:18). Verses 16–19 are the fifth stanza. David calls on all faithful worshipers of God to recognize with him that God answers the prayers of those who are sincere and honest.

I will declare. David speaks for himself, and may well have spoken for the people whose king and leader he was. My soul. Used idiomatically for “me” (see on Ps. 16:10).

Ellen G. White

If I regard iniquity. An axiom in Christian experience. In order for prayer to be acceptable to God, it must be coupled with a purpose to forsake all known sin (see Prov. 28:9; Isa. 1:15; 58:3–5; cf. Ps. 34:15; John 9:31; James 4:3; SC 99, 100; PP 584). “When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit” (EGW ST June 16, 1890).

God hath heard. David did not doubt the answer to his prayer; he expressed his assurance of God’s approval (see Ps. 116:1, 2).

Hath not turned away. Our God is a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God (see Ps. 65:2; 1T 120, 121).