Salmos 66
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 66
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Derek Kidner, in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary Series (p. 251) entitles this Psalm, "The God of All. . .of Many. . .of One." This seems to be a wonderful way of catching the essence of this Psalm. It starts out with a universal emphasis and moves to the praise of Israel and finally to the exaltation of one worshiper. This Psalm is very much like its neighbors, Psalms 65 and 67. They all speak of the universal love of God for all humans. In this way they are very similar to the prophets Isaiah and Jonah. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN The historical setting of this Psalm is uncertain. It is true that the Arabic translation says "a Psalm of David," but it seems that this Psalm fits better into the life of Hezekiah. There is a national disaster and a personal crisis. It seems that the invasion of Assyria under Sennacherib in besieging Jerusalem and the illness of Hezekiah would have led to his death without his prayerful intervention to God fit this Psalm well. The superscriptions in the MT are not original. They are not found in the DSS. Often they are inaccurate (i.e., uninspired). See Introduction to the Psalms, IV, "Authorship." The eight IMPERATIVES in this Psalm are not prayers to God but exhortations to all the peoples of the earth (cf. Ps. 66:1,4,8) all who fear/awe/revere God (cf. Ps. 66:16)
Salmos 66:1-4
66:1 "Shout" This Hiphil IMPERATIVE is PLURAL and Ps. 66:1 is similar to Ps. 98:4; 100:1 and reminds me of the beautiful choir of Rev. 7:9. Notice the PLURAL speaks that all the earth is to shout joyfully to the God of creation (cf. Ps. 66:1,4,8; Ps. 65:2,5,8; 67:1). Notice this Psalm includes the general name for God, Elohim (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C.), and not the covenant name for God, YHWH. It is all the earth that is to respond (cf. Psalm 67); the praise of Israel is not enough (cf. Ps. 103:19-22; 145:21; 150:6). If it is true there is only one God and He created the whole world and made mankind in His image (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM), then it is obviously true that He wants all humans to come to know Him. Israel was meant to be only a kingdom of priests to bring the world to God ( SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). 66:2 "Sing the glory of His name" The idea or the concept of singing in worship can be documented from verses like this is the Psalter. It is interesting that in Eph. 5:19, where it speaks of being filled with the Spirit, that three of the five following PARTICIPLES speak of music. Praise is an appropriate activity in the worship of our God. The term "name" is a way in Hebrew to reflect one's character. It may be a circumlocution of the Hebrew's fear to mention the name of God Himself, and that is why the concept of His name is so often substituted (see SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH). Faithful followers are to glorify YHWH's character and action (cf. Ps. 29:2; 79:9, 96:8). The "name" represents YHWH Himself. For the term "glory" see SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT). 66:3 "Say to God" This is the fourth IMPERATIVE of Ps. 66:1-3 directed to all humans. shout joyfully to God ‒ BDB 929, KB 1206, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 47:1; 81:2; 98:4,6 (COHORTATIVE in Ps. 95:1,2) sing the glory of His name ‒ BDB 274, KB 273, Piel IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 9:11; 30:4; 47:6-7 [five]; 105:2; 135:3 (COHORTATIVE in Ps. 18:49; 27:6; 59:16; 71:22; 75:9; 101:1; 104:33; 146:2) make His praise glorious ‒ BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE (lit. "put," "set," or "place"), cf. Isa. 42:12 say to God ‒ BDB 55, KB 65, Qal IMPERATIVE ▣ "How awesome are Your works" The term is literally "fearful," "terrible" or "terrifying" (BDB 431, KB 432, Niphal PARTICIPLE, cf. Ps. 45:4; 65:5). Some translators, such as the Jerusalem Bible, translate this, "what dread you inspire," but it seems that because of Ps. 66:5 that we are talking not of God's character, but about God's acts (cf. Exod. 34:10; Deut. 10:21; Ps. 65:5; 139:14; 145:6). God has acted in history (cf. the Exodus in Ps. 66:5-7). His acts are acts of deliverance and revelation of His purposes. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You" This is a very difficult sentence in Hebrew to translate. It is obvious that God's power draws even the reluctant praise of His enemies (cf. Ps. 18:44). The Hebrew seems to imply a "pretended obedience" (BDB 471, KB 469, Piel IMPERFECT). The Septuagint even translates it, "a lie." The Hebrew word has the connotation of something that has grown small pride that has been reduced insincerity (cf. Ps. 81:15) Which connotation was intended is simply uncertain here. 66:4 "All the earth will worship You" This seems to speak along the same lines as Phil. 2:9-11, that one day both friend and foe, both child and enemy, will acknowledge YHWH. On that day, all will sing praises to Him (cf. Ps. 22:27; 46:10; 65:2,5,8; 67:1-7; 86:9; Zech. 14:16). This has eschatological implications (cf. Micah 5:2-5a). SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP ▣ "Selah" This term (BDB 699) also occurs at the end of Ps. 66:7 and 15. See note at Ps. 3:2 and Introduction to Psalms, VII.
Salmos 66:5-7
66:5 "Come and see" These two Qal IMPERATIVES match with the two Qal IMPERATIVES, "come and hear" of Ps. 66:16. God is a God who acts in history, who has chosen humans to record and explain His acts. We can know God by what He has done, as well as by what He has said. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION ▣ "Who is awesome in His deeds" Because a related term to "awesome" (BDB 431) is used in Deut. 4:34 (BDB 432) to describe the plagues of Egypt, and because there seem to be many allusions to the wilderness wandering in this Psalm, most would refer these deeds to the Exodus period. ▣ "towards the sons of men" This literal phrase, "sons of Adam," reflects God's concern with all humans. Genesis 3:15 is not a promise to Israel (which does not come into being until the call of Abram in Genesis 12), but to all humanity. Psalms 65-67 reflects this great truth, as do Isaiah and Jonah. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 66:6 "He turned the sea into dry land" This could refer to the Exodus, Exodus 14 (cf. Ps. 106:9), or to the splitting of the Jordan River in Joshua 3 (cf. Josh. 4:23). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WATERS 66:7 "He rules by His might forever" This is a concept that God is ruling and reigning over all of His world, not just Israel (i.e., Deut. 32:8; Ps. 47:7-8; Acts 17:26; and the sections in the Major Prophets of God's judgment on the nations). ▣ "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). ▣ "His eyes keep watch on the nations" Because this seems to personify the nations, many have thought this referred to the concept of national angels (cf. the Septuagint's translation of Deut. 32:8). This also may be affirmed by the idea of them rebelling, as in Ps. 66:7c, and also that possibly "keeps us alive" in Ps. 66:9 is a corporate reference to Israel. In the interbiblical period, the heavenly council was made up of the angels of the nations. In Jewish literature they seem to be hostile to Israel and it is only God's love for Israel that keeps her from being destroyed. See Appendix XIII and XIV in Alfred Edersheim's The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah." SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD ▣ "Let not the rebellious exalt themselves" The MT has the Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, but the Masoretic scholars suggested in the margin it be read (Qere) as a Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense. The Anchor Bible translates this phrase as, "lest the rebels rise up against Him." The Revised Standard Version translates this phrase as, "the rebellious cannot rise against Him." This is very similar to Psalm 2. JPSOA has "Let the rebellious not assert themselves." ▣ "Selah" See note at v. 4.
Salmos 66:8-15
66:8-15 This strophe refers to YHWH's treatment of rebellious Israel. He judged her, to restore her. All the peoples should rejoice because YHWH's redemptive purposes through Israel to all the nations is still viable. SPECIAL TOPIC: SATANIC ATTEMPTS TO THWART THE MESSIANIC LINE IN GENESIS SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 66:9 "Who keeps us in life" This could be a historical reference to Hezekiah as he was about to die of a boil and prayed for God to spare him. Through Isaiah he was given fifteen more years of life (cf. 2 Kings 20) a reference to the national life of Israel as she was invaded again and again by enemies from the Fertile Crescent Whatever its exact allusion, it is obvious that God's moment-by-moment care for faithful followers is the essence of our gift of life. And that God is the only one who possesses life and He gives it to those who trust in Him (i.e., Ps. 65:5). ▣ "And does not allow our feet to slip" The Hebrew term "slip" (lit. "totter," "shake," or "slip," BDB 557) can be used for carrying something on a pole (cf. Num. 4:10,12; 13:23) a yoke of a prisoner around the neck (cf. Nahum 1:13) here it is imagery of security. One's feet do not slip on the path of faith (cf. Ps. 55:22; 121:3; VERB in Ps. 15:5; 112:6). This phrase is exactly opposite to the connotation of the Hebrew word for "faith," which originally meant "a steady stance" (cf. Ps. 17:5; 38:16; 121:3). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT 66:10 "For You have tried us, O God" This is the concept of testing that comes from the metal processing industry (cf. Ps. 66:10b). God does test His children (cf. Gen. 22:1; Matt. 4:1). He does so to refine us, to purify us, and to make us stronger (cf. Zech. 13:9; 1 Pet. 1:7). SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD TESTS HIS PEOPLE 66:11 "You brought us into the net" Notice the number of times "You" appears in Ps. 66:10-12 (cf. Ps. 65:9-11). The psalmist is chronicling YHWH's acts of judgment that were designed to bring His people to a place of repentance so that He could bless them (cf. Ps. 66:12c). ▣ "net" "Net" (BDB 845) comes from a root that means "to hunt" (BDB 844 II, cf. Ezek. 13:21) and is often used of a fish snare (cf. Eccl. 9:12) This concept of "a net" (i.e., different root) is used in Habakkuk 1:15-17 to describe the military machine of the Babylonians. Therefore, it may be a reference to the invasion of the land of Israel. Another use of this term is the idea of "fortress" (BDB 845 II, cf. Ps. 31:3; 71:3; 91:2; 144:2). This would convey a totally different meaning when translated into Ps. 66:11. ▣ "You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins" The term for "burden" (BDB 734, KB 558, found only here in the OT) is more of a restraint (JPSOA) than the idea of a weight. BDB defines it as "compression" or "distress." The loins were the strongest muscles of the human body and were often used as imagery for human power (cf. Deut. 33:11). 66:12 "You made men ride over our heads" This is imagery describing evil people's (i.e., the pagan nations) control of God's people (cf. Isa. 51:23). ▣ "We went through fire and through water" These are both images that speak of hard trials. See the beautiful statement in Isa. 43:2 that God will not leave us in the midst of our trials. ▣ "a place of abundance" "to rich fulfillment" "to a spacious place" "to a place of safety" "to breathe again" "to prosperity" "into a place of plenty" "to remind" or "refreshment" "into a comfortable place" This term (BDB 924, KB 1201) is very difficult to translate. The basic meaning is to saturate. It is the same term that is used in Ps. 23:5 for "cup overflowed." It has sometimes been translated "a wide place" (cf. Ps. 18:19; 31:8; 118:5), meaning a place of rest, or "a fruitful place," referring to the Promised Land. Those translations that include the word "rest" here are basing this on a change of one Hebrew letter in this word (see NET Bible, p. 931, #7). The UBS Text Project (p. 287) gives "to saturate" a "B" rating (some doubt) and mentions that it has two connotations. abundance rest or free breathing 66:13-15 This is where the author (cf. Ps. 66:16b, or Israel in a collective sense) comes to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay a vow (cf. Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21-23). SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE OFFERING
Salmos 66:16-20
66:16 "Come and hear, all who fear God" This phrase starts off with two Qal IMPERATIVES (see note at Ps. 66:5). The Bible does not teach universalism, but it does teach God's universal offer of grace to those who respond (cf. John 1:12; 3:16,36; 6:40; 11:25-26; Rom. 10:9-13). God responds to those who respond to Him. But notice the condition, "all who fear God." SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) ▣ "And I will tell of what He has done for my soul" As Ps. 66:9 expressed the corporate life of Israel, so Ps. 66:13-15 and 16-20 express the individual life of this one worshiper (i.e., the psalmist). He describes his prayer life. Usually the Psalms start out with an individual and end in corporate praise but this Psalm is the opposite. ▣ "soul" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH 66:17 As there was no silent reading in the ANE, so too, no silent prayers (note 1 Sam.1:13). 66:18 Attitude is crucial. Human unconfessed sin blinds the individual to God's presence and love. There are consequences in time and eternity to sin for both the believer and the unbeliever. SPECIAL TOPIC: PRAYER UNLIMITED, YET LIMITED 66:19 Faithful followers believe that God hears (cf. Ps. 18:6) and will respond appropriately! This is a faith assurance, not a certainty. SPECIAL TOPIC: EFFECTIVE PRAYER SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE 66:20 "Blessed be God" Blessing (BDB 138, KB 159, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE, cf. Ps. 68:35) comes from God and to God. There is no blessing apart from Him. He should be blessed/praised for who He is (cf. Ps. 66:10-12; 2 Cor. 1:3) what He has done (cf. Ps. 66:1-3) what He is doing what He will bring to pass (cf. Ps. 66:4,8)! ▣ "lovingkindness" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed).