Verse 1

Psalm 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.

Make  …  noise — or, “Shout.”

Verse 2

his name — as in Psalm 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.

Verse 3-4

A specimen of the praise.

How terrible — (Compare Psalm 65:8).

submit — (Compare Margin), show a forced subjection (Psalm 18:44), produced by terror.

Verse 5-6

The terrible works illustrated in Israel‘s history (Exodus 14:21). By this example let rebels be admonished.

Verse 7

behold the nations — watch their conduct.

Verse 8-9

Here is, perhaps, cited a case of recent deliverance.

Verse 9

in life — literally, “putteth our soul in life”; that is, out of danger (Psalm 30:3; Psalm 49:15).

to be moved — (Compare Psalm 10:6; Psalm 55:22).

Verses 10-12

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

Verse 11

affliction — literally, “pressure,” or, as in Psalm 55:3, “oppression,” which, laid on the

loins — the seat of strength (Deuteronomy 33:11), enfeebles the frame.

Verse 12

men to ride over our heads — made us to pass.

through fire, etc. — figures describing prostration and critical dangers (compare Isaiah 43:2; Ezekiel 36:12).

wealthy — literally, “overflowing,” or, “irrigated,” and hence fertile.

Verses 13-15

These full and varied offerings constitute the payment of vows (Leviticus 22:18-23).

Verse 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.

Verses 16-20

With these he unites his public thanks, inviting those who fear God (Psalm 60:4; Psalm 61:5, His true worshippers) to hear. He vindicates his sincerity, inasmuch as God would not hear hypocrites, but had heard him.

Verse 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.

Verse 18

If I regard iniquity in my heart — literally, “see iniquity with pleasure.”