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.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads. They stormed, and hectored, and treated us like the mire of the street. Riding the high horse, in their arrogance, they, who were in themselves mean men, treated the Lord's people as if they were the meanest of mankind. They even turned their captives into beasts of burden, and rode upon their heads, as some read the Hebrew.
men to ride over our heads--made us to pass. through fire, &c.--figures describing prostration and critical dangers (compare Isa 43:2; Eze 36:12). wealthy--literally, "overflowing," or, "irrigated," and hence fertile.
The psalmist celebrates one deliverance, but means it as proof of God's constant mercy to His people through all ages. His point is comfort: our subjection to enemies has been the furnace proving us as silver, and God's hearing of the faithful proves His acceptance of them alone, not the wicked.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 66:1-20