Oh bless our God, ye peoples, And make the voice of his praise to be heard;
O bless our God, ye people. Ye chosen seed, peculiarly beloved, it is yours to bless your covenant God as other nations cannot. Ye should lead the strain, for he is peculiarly your God. First visited by his love, ye should be foremost in his praise. And make the voice of his praise to be heard.
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
God has not abandoned your foot to tottering unto overthrow, but cast you into a smelting-furnace to purify and prove you by suffering. The mountain-hold or prison of the enemy represents total loss of freedom; yet this is the means by which His ancient sovereign power is demonstrated afresh to all peoples.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 66:8-12