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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 66, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [To the chief Musician, A Song {or} Psalm.] Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: {all...: Heb. all the earth}
Psalms 66:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
Psalms 66:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 Say unto God, How terrible {art thou in} thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. {submit...: or, yield feigned obedience: Heb. lie}
Psalms 66:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing {to} thy name. Selah.
Psalms 66:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Come and see the works of God: {he is} terrible {in his} doing toward the children of men.
Psalms 66:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 He turned the sea into dry {land}: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
Psalms 66:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
Psalms 66:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Psalms 66:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. {holdeth: Heb. putteth}
Psalms 66:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Psalms 66:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
Psalms 66:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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}. {wealthy: Heb. moist}
Psalms 66:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
Psalms 66:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. {uttered: Heb. opened}
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. {fatlings: Heb. marrow}
Psalms 66:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 Come {and} hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
Psalms 66:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear {me}:
Psalms 66:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 {But} verily God hath heard {me}; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Psalms 66:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20 Blessed {be} God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Psalms 66:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.