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 אֱלֹהִיםTransliteration: B’shmo nifla’ot ElohimEnglish: “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 + TransliterationVerse + SnippetMeaningScholarly Notesהָרִיעוּ — hariuVerse 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 Testamentזַמְּרוּ — zameruVerse 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 Psalmsתְּהִלָּה — tehillahVerse 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 Testamentנּוֹרָא — noraVerse 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, Lexiconכָּבַשׁ — kavashVerse 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, Commentaryעָבַר — avarVerse 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, Commentaryבָּחַן — bachanVerse 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, Lexiconצָרַף — tzarefVerse 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, Commentaryמָשַׂם — masamVerse 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, Commentaryרָוָה — ravahVerse 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 LexiconBiblical Scholars On This Psalm Scholar & WorkViewJohn Calvin – Commentary on the PsalmsCalvin 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 PsalmsHenry 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 PsalmsBarnes 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 PsalmsMorison 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 PsalmsWalford 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 PsalmsBonar 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 NotesParker sees the psalm as emphasizing divine judgment and deliverance. Trials shape believers into strength. Praise must be public. Thomas Dale – Exposition of the PsalmsDale reads the psalm as declaring God’s terrible majesty and tender mercy. His testing brings purity. Worship flows from rescued souls. Horatius Bonar – Psalm MeditationsBonar 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 PsalmsWordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church’s worldwide hymn of praise. Trials reveal divine faithfulness. Worship glorifies His name.