Psalm Chapter 66 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
Psalms Chapter 66 (Old Testament)
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
Psalms Chapter 66 (Old Testament)
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 66:5
Verse: בִּשְׁמוֹ נִפְלָאוֹת אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: B’shmo nifla’ot Elohim
English: “Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds toward the children of men!”
Focus Word: נִפְלָאוֹת (Nifla’ot)
- Root: פ-ל-א (Pe-Lamed-Aleph)
- Meaning: “Wondrous,” “marvelous,” “miraculous.”
- Deeper Insight: Nifla’ot signifies acts that inspire awe, highlighting God’s extraordinary power and grace.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| הָרִיעוּ — hariu | Verse 1 — “Make a joyful shout to God…” | “Shout,” raise a cry. | Hariu (“shout”) conveys triumphant praise expressed loudly (“shout”). It reflects corporate celebration of God’s deeds. The word sets an exuberant tone for the Psalm. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament |
| זַמְּרוּ — zameru | Verse 2 — “Sing out the honor of His name…” | “Sing,” make music. | Zameru (“to sing”) highlights musical praise (“sing”). It emphasizes joyful worship grounded in God’s glory. The term reinforces communal praise. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| תְּהִלָּה — tehillah | Verse 2 — “…make His praise glorious.” | “Praise,” renown. | Tehillah (“praise”) stresses celebratory acknowledgment (“praise”). It reveals God’s worthiness of honored worship. The word strengthens the Psalm’s call for exaltation. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| נּוֹרָא — nora | Verse 3 — “How awesome are Your works…” | “Awesome,” fearsome. | Nora (“awesome”) describes God’s works as awe-inspiring (“awesome”). It balances fear with admiration. The term highlights divine power in salvation. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| כָּבַשׁ — kavash | Verse 3 — “…Your enemies submit…” | “To subdue,” bring low. | Kavash (“to subdue”) depicts forced submission (“submit”). It reveals God’s supremacy over resistance. The word magnifies divine authority. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| עָבַר — avar | Verse 6 — “He turned the sea into dry land…” | “To pass,” cross over. | Avar (“to pass”) recalls divine deliverance during Exodus (“pass/cross”). It ties Israel’s history to worship. The word grounds praise in salvation events. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| בָּחַן — bachan | Verse 10 — “You have tested us, O God…” | “To test,” examine. | Bachan (“to test”) expresses divine refining (“test”). It reflects purification through trial. The word reveals purposeful suffering. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| צָרַף — tzaref | Verse 10 — “…You refined us as silver…” | “To refine,” smelt. | Tzaref (“to refine”) depicts purification through fire (“refine”). It symbolizes spiritual cleansing. The term accentuates God’s disciplinary love. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מָשַׂם — masam | Verse 12 — “…You laid affliction on our backs.” | “To place,” impose. | Masam (“to place”) conveys burden laid by divine purpose (“place/impose”). It reveals discipline under sovereignty. The word prepares for the Psalm’s shift to deliverance. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| רָוָה — ravah | Verse 12 — “…You brought us out to rich fulfillment.” | “To make abundant,” satiate. | Ravah (“to satisfy”) describes overflowing blessing (“abundance”). It reveals divine restoration after affliction. The term concludes with triumphant prosperity. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Psalm
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as calling all nations to observe God’s mighty deeds. Affliction serves as divine refinement. Deliverance inspires vows and thanksgiving. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as celebrating God’s wonders toward His people. Trials prove their faith. Praise rises from grateful hearts. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes reads the psalm as a universal summons to worship the God who delivers. Affliction is the furnace of purification. Thanksgiving is the fitting response. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as public testimony of divine goodness. Israel’s trials lead to spiritual maturity. God’s mercy brings joyful praise. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford views the psalm as the believer’s acknowledgment of God’s sovereign dealings. Trouble refines character. Worship follows deliverance. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar interprets the psalm as the Church proclaiming God’s acts among the nations. Suffering purges sin. Freed hearts offer praise. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker sees the psalm as emphasizing divine judgment and deliverance. Trials shape believers into strength. Praise must be public. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale reads the psalm as declaring God’s terrible majesty and tender mercy. His testing brings purity. Worship flows from rescued souls. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar views the psalm as a call to behold God’s mighty works. Suffering prepares the soul for blessing. Thanksgiving seals the vow. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church’s worldwide hymn of praise. Trials reveal divine faithfulness. Worship glorifies His name. |
