Psa 66:1 | KingComments | STEP | This psalm is a continuation of the song of praise of Psalm 65. Whereas the previous psalm ends with the rejoicing of creation ( ), in Psalm 66 we find the exhortation to all mankind to worship God and to sing praises to His Name ( ). The Jewish remnant will teach the law and the Word of the LORD to all people ( ). The language used in this psalm is that of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt ( ). The occasion for exalting God here is the future redemption of the remnant from the great tribulation. This psalm is about God as the Deliverer of His people. He has done everything; He is seen in everything. It begins with the deliverance of His people from Egypt ( ). In it, He shows His power. It is the power of deliverance from enemies, but also the power that gives life out of death ( ). The restoration of Israel, that is, God’s acceptance and acknowledgment of them as His people again, is in fact life from the dead ( ). We see this in the redemption of the remnant in the end time, which is also entirely His work ( ). The result is blessing for the people in the realm of peace given to them by Him ( ). It is noteworthy that the first part of the psalm, , is in the plural, while the second part, , is in the singular. This is a continuation of what the remnant began in Psalm 65. The singular makes it clear that the song of praise is not only collective, but that each is personally involved (cf. ). For “for the choir director” ( ) see at Psalm 4:1. For “a song” see at Psalm 65:1. The psalm is anonymous. There is no event in the life of David that could be a point of reference for this psalm. However, the psalm expresses prophetically the utterances of the faithful remnant in the end time. That makes it possible that David as a prophet wrote this psalm. Indeed, we see that this psalm can be used by the remnant to praise God at the end of the great tribulation because of the redemption He gives. In doing so, they are passing on the lesson they have learned to all people, so that they too can magnify the Lord. What never has happened will happen when the Lord Jesus reigns: all the earth “shouts joyfully to God” ( ). They “sing the glory of His name” ( ). His Name is still despised on earth today, but then the glory of His Name will be clear to all. His Name represents His Person and His features. His glorious Name is the sum of all His features. God is light and He is love ( ). All His features result from this. All that is visible of Him gives rise to “make His praise glorious” which is done by singing of His features. The poet indicates in what way, with what words, praise and glory can be given to God ( ). He gives the words for it (cf. ). It must be about the glorious and therefore fear-inducing actions of God. Everyone is called upon to say to God: “How awesome are Your works.” God’s power is manifested in His works in such a way that even God’s enemies will no longer dare to resist Him. They will pretend to submit wholeheartedly to the God of Israel (cf. ). Their submission is only feigned, hypocritical. They do not show their enmity because they know they will be judged immediately if they openly oppose Him ( ). Eventually, every knee will bow and confess “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” ( ). The psalmist knows that evil will not prevail. All the earth will bow down before God once He reveals Himself in His power over evil by judging it ( ). As they bow down, they are to sing praises to God and God’s Name. God reveals Himself in His Name. The appropriate response of the people to this is to sing a song to His glory praising His attributes and features.

‏ Psalms 66:1

Introduction

This psalm is a continuation of the song of praise of Psalm 65. Whereas the previous psalm ends with the rejoicing of creation (Psa 65:13), in Psalm 66 we find the exhortation to all mankind to worship God and to sing praises to His Name (Psa 66:4). The Jewish remnant will teach the law and the Word of the LORD to all people (Isa 2:3). The language used in this psalm is that of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Psa 66:6). The occasion for exalting God here is the future redemption of the remnant from the great tribulation.

This psalm is about God as the Deliverer of His people. He has done everything; He is seen in everything. It begins with the deliverance of His people from Egypt (Psa 66:6-7). In it, He shows His power. It is the power of deliverance from enemies, but also the power that gives life out of death (Psa 66:9).

The restoration of Israel, that is, God’s acceptance and acknowledgment of them as His people again, is in fact life from the dead (Rom 11:15b). We see this in the redemption of the remnant in the end time, which is also entirely His work (Psa 66:10-12). The result is blessing for the people in the realm of peace given to them by Him (Psa 66:20).

It is noteworthy that the first part of the psalm, Psa 66:1-12, is in the plural, while the second part, Psa 66:13-20, is in the singular. This is a continuation of what the remnant began in Psalm 65. The singular makes it clear that the song of praise is not only collective, but that each is personally involved (cf. Zec 12:12-14).

All the Earth Will Sing Praises to God

For “for the choir director” (Psa 66:1a) see at Psalm 4:1.

For “a song” see at Psalm 65:1.

The psalm is anonymous. There is no event in the life of David that could be a point of reference for this psalm. However, the psalm expresses prophetically the utterances of the faithful remnant in the end time. That makes it possible that David as a prophet wrote this psalm. Indeed, we see that this psalm can be used by the remnant to praise God at the end of the great tribulation because of the redemption He gives. In doing so, they are passing on the lesson they have learned to all people, so that they too can magnify the Lord.

What never has happened will happen when the Lord Jesus reigns: all the earth “shouts joyfully to God” (Psa 66:1b). They “sing the glory of His name” (Psa 66:2). His Name is still despised on earth today, but then the glory of His Name will be clear to all.

His Name represents His Person and His features. His glorious Name is the sum of all His features. God is light and He is love (1Jn 1:5 ; 1Jn 4:8 ; 16). All His features result from this. All that is visible of Him gives rise to “make His praise glorious” which is done by singing of His features.

The poet indicates in what way, with what words, praise and glory can be given to God (Psa 66:3). He gives the words for it (cf. Hos 14:2-3). It must be about the glorious and therefore fear-inducing actions of God. Everyone is called upon to say to God: “How awesome are Your works.”

God’s power is manifested in His works in such a way that even God’s enemies will no longer dare to resist Him. They will pretend to submit wholeheartedly to the God of Israel (cf. Psa 18:44). Their submission is only feigned, hypocritical. They do not show their enmity because they know they will be judged immediately if they openly oppose Him (Psa 101:8). Eventually, every knee will bow and confess “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:11).

The psalmist knows that evil will not prevail. All the earth will bow down before God once He reveals Himself in His power over evil by judging it (Psa 66:4). As they bow down, they are to sing praises to God and God’s Name. God reveals Himself in His Name. The appropriate response of the people to this is to sing a song to His glory praising His attributes and features.