Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 66
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 66
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 66
"Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth: Sing forth the glory of his name: Make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible are thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, And shall sing unto thee; They shall sing to thy name. Selah Come, and see the works of God; [He is] terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his might for ever; His eyes observe the nations: Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah" — Psalms 66:1-7 (ASV)
The holy church throughout all the world lifts up her voice, to praise that Name which is above every name, to make the praise of Jesus glorious, both by word and deed; that others may be led to glorify Him also. But nothing can bring people to do this rightly unless His effectual grace creates their hearts anew to holiness; and in the redemption by the death of Christ, and the glorious deliverances it accomplishes, are more wondrous works than Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
"Oh bless our God, ye peoples, And make the voice of his praise to be heard; Who holdeth our soul in life, And suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; Thou layedst a sore burden upon our loins. Thou didst cause men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." — Psalms 66:8-12 (ASV)
The Lord not only preserves our temporal life, but maintains the spiritual life which he has given to believers. By afflictions we are proved, as silver in the fire. The troubles of the church will certainly end well. Through various conflicts and troubles, the slave of Satan escapes from his yoke, and obtains joy and peace in believing: through much tribulation the believer must enter into the kingdom of God.
"I will come into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips uttered, And my mouth spake, when I was in distress. I will offer unto thee burnt-offerings of fatlings, With the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah Come, and hear, all ye that fear God, And I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, And he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear: But verily God hath heard; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his lovingkindness from me. " — Psalms 66:13-20 (ASV)
We should declare to those who fear God what he has done for our souls, and how he has heard and answered our prayers, inviting them to join us in prayer and praise. This will lead to our mutual comfort and to the glory of God.
However, we cannot share these spiritual privileges if we retain the love of sin in our hearts, even if we refrain from the gross practice. Sin, regarded in the heart, will spoil the comfort and success of prayer, for the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of the Lord.
But if the feeling of sin in the heart creates desires to be rid of it, and if that feeling is like the presence of someone urging a demand we know we must not—and indeed cannot—comply with, this is an argument for sincerity. And when we pray in simplicity and godly sincerity, our prayers will be answered. This will stir gratitude to him who has not turned away our prayer nor his mercy from us.
It was not prayer that brought about the deliverance, but his mercy that sent it. That mercy is the foundation of our hopes and the fountain of our comforts, and it should be the subject of our praises.
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