M1 A 1,2. Exhortation to praise.
B 3. Address. God's works in the world.
C 4. Address. Promise for the world. Selah.
D 5-7. Invitation. "Come and see," &c. Selah.
A 8,9. Exhortation to praise.
B 10-12. Address. God's dealings with His People.
C 13-15. Address. Promise for Psalmist. Selah.
D 16-20. Invitation. "Come and hear," &c.
Psalm 66)
1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth: (Earth being put for its inhabitants.)
2 Sing forth the honor of His name:
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, "How terrible are You in Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power shall Your enemies submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You,
And shall sing to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name." Selah. (Connecting the exhortations of vv.1-4 with the reason for it in v.5)
5 Come and see the works of God:
He is terrible in His doing toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea (i.e. the Red Sea) into dry land:
They went through the flood (i.e. the river Jordan) on foot:
There did we rejoice in Him.
7 He rules by His power for ever;
His eyes behold the nations:
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. (Repeating the exhortation to praise, and connecting the 2 halves of the Psalm.)
8 O bless our God, you peoples,
And make the voice of His praise to be heard:
9 Which holds our soul in life,
And suffer not our feet to be moved.
10 For You, O God, have proved us:
You have tried us, as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
You laid a heavy burden upon our loins. (I.e. in Egypt.)
12 You did caused men to ride over us;
We went through fire and through water:
But You brought us out into a wealthy place. (Cp. Ps. 18:19.)
C w 13-. Offerings.
x -13. Vows.
x 14. Vows.
w 15. Offerings.
13 I will go into You house with burnt offerings:
I will pay You my vows,
14 Which [vows] my lips have opened [and vowed],
And my mouth has spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will prepare for You burnt sacrifices of fatlings,
With the incense of rams;
I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. (Connecting v.5 and v.16.)
D y 16. God.
z 17. I.
z 18. I.
y 19,20. God.
16 Come and hear, all you that fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for me.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not answer me:
19 But verily God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Which has not turned away my prayer [from Himself], nor His loving-kindness (or grace) from me.
(I.e. the smitings of Israel's enemies by God.)