Psalm 66:1-9

Psalm 66:1-9
Ordinary C32

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To the leader.I A Song. A Psalm.II

Make a joyful noiseIII to God,IV all the earth;V

Notes on superscript - verse 1

I “leader” = natsach. Properly, something that glitters from a distance. So, something that stands out, excels, has status/standing (such as a chief musician or superintendent of Temple services). This can also mean to be permanent or enduring.
II “Psalm” = mizmor. From zamar (making music; used specially of music to worship God; music with singing, singing praise, singing psalms); may be from zamar (to trim or prune). This is a melody or a psalm.
III “make a joyful noise” = rua. To break or destroy something so figuratively, an ear splitting sound such as a call of alarm or a joyful sound.
IV “God” = Elohim.
V “earth” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.

    singVI the gloryVII of his name;VIII
   giveIX to him gloriousX praise.XI

Notes on verse 2

VI “sing” = zamar. Related to “psalm” in superscript. See note II above.
VII “glory” = kabod. From kabad (to be heavy, weighty, burdensome). This is weighty. Figuratively, glorious, abundant, riches, honor, splendor – a reference to one’s reputation or character. This word is often used to describe God and God’s presence.
VIII “name” = shem. May be from sum (to put, place, set). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.
IX “give” = sum. Related to “name” in v2. See note VIII above.
X “glorious” = kabod. Same as “glory” in v2. See note VII above.
XI “praise” = tehillah. From halal (to praise, be boastful). This is praise or a song of praise. It is to offer God a hymn, to boast in God. This shares a root with “hallelujah.”

Say to God, “How awesome areXII your deeds!XIII
    Because of your greatXIV power,XV your enemiesXVI cringeXVII before you.

Notes on verse 3

XII “awesome are” = yare. This is to fear, be afraid, dreadful. It can also refer to fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect.
XIII “deeds” = maaseh. From asah (to do, make, accomplish, become). This is a word – any action whether positive or negative. It can also be a transaction, construction, activity, property, or something that is produced.
XIV “great” = rob. From rabab (to be or become much or many, multiply). This is any kind of abundance.
XV “power” = oz. From azaz (to be strong, become fixed, be bold, prevail, be impudent; it means to be stout literally or figuratively. A Late Hebrew word). This is strength in the sense of force, majesty, praise, material and physical strength, the abstract notion of security. It can also speak of social or political power.
XVI “enemies” = oyeb. From ayab (to hate or be hostile to). This is a foe or enemy as one that you are hostile to.
XVII “cringe” = kachash. This is deceive, fail, or deny. It can be lying or disappointing. It can also mean becoming lean or cringe.

4 All the earth worshipsXVIII you;
    they sing praisesXIX to you,
    sing praises to your name.” SelahXX

Notes on verse 4

XVIII “worships” = shachah. This is to bow down, make a humble entreaty, to do homage to royalty or to God.
XIX “sing praises” = zamar. Same as “sing” in v2. See note VI above.
XX “Selah” = selah. From salal (to lift up, build, pile, extol, exalt; can also be used for opposing as a dam holds back water). This is to lift up or exalt. Also, “selah” in the psalms where its precise meaning is uncertain. It could be a pause in the music, a moment of silence. It could signal a change in the service or mean something akin to amen.

ComeXXI and seeXXII what God has done:XXIII

Notes on verse 5a

XXI “come” = halak. This is go, come, walk. It is walk literally and figuratively and includes people and animals. It can be used figuratively for one’s moral life – how we walk according to God’s way or against it. It can also refer to the walk of life as in the course one’s life takes, the choices we make, etc.
XXII “see” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
XXIII “what…has done” = miph’al. 3x in OT. From pa’al (to do, make, work, or accomplish; generally refers to regularly repeated or systematic action – to practice). This is work, deed, something manufactured, thing.

    he is awesomeXXIV in his deedsXXV among mortals.XXVI

Notes on verse 5b

XXIV “is awesome” = yare. Same as “awesome are” in v3. See note XII above.
XXV “deeds” = alilah. From alal (to affect, do, practice, mock, overdo, glean, abuse, pain). This is a deed or action – something that causes an effect. It could be a wanton or shameful deed or an opportunity.
XXVI “mortals” = ben + adam. Literally “children of humanity.” Ben is from banah (to build or obtain children). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense. Adam is perhaps from adam (to be red, make ruddy); related to adamah (ground, dirt, earth). This is man, humankind, also Adam’s name. It refers to a human individual or humanity.

He turnedXXVII the seaXXVIII into dryXXIX land;
    they passed throughXXX the riverXXXI on foot.

Notes on verse 6a

XXVII “turned” = haphak. This is to turn, overturn, change, return, turn over, pervert.
XXVIII “sea” = yam. Root may mean to roar. This is the sea, often referring to the Mediterranean. It comes from the root in the sense of the roar of crashing surf. This word is sometimes used for rivers or other sources of water. It can mean to the west or to the south.
XXIX “dry” = yabbashah. 14x in OT– word used for dry land in Genesis 1:9-10. From yabesh (to dry up, be withered, be dry; to be ashamed, confused, or disappointed). This is dry land or dry ground.
XXX “passed through” = abar. This is to pass over or cross over. It is used for transitions, whether literal or figurative. It can also mean to escape, alienate, or fail. This is the root verb from which “Hebrew” is drawn.
XXXI “river” = nahar. From nahar (to flow, sparkle, be cheerful). This is a stream, river, or flood. Particularly used for the Nile or Euphrates. Figuratively, this can mean prosperity.

There we rejoicedXXXII in him,
    who rulesXXXIII by his mightXXXIV forever,XXXV

Notes on verses 6b-7a

XXXII “rejoiced” = samach. This is to rejoice or be glad. Properly, it is to brighten up in a literal or figurative sense.
XXXIII “rules” = mashal. This is to rule, reign, govern, have authority, wield.
XXXIV “might” = geburah. From gabar (to be strong or mighty; to prevail or be insolent). This is force in a literal or figurative sense. So, it could be strength, power, courage, triumph, victory, or mastery.
XXXV “forever” = olam. This is a long scope of time whether in the past (antiquity, ancient time) or in the future (eternal, everlasting).

whose eyesXXXVI keep watchXXXVII on the nationsXXXVIII
    let the rebelliousXXXIX not exaltXL themselves. Selah

Notes on verse 7b

XXXVI “eyes” = ayin. This is eye in a literal or figurative sense so eye, appearance, favor, or a fountain (the eye of the landscape).
XXXVII “keep watch” = tsaphah. This is to keep watch or spy – to look out. Properly, it refers to leaning forward to look out. It implies observing or awaiting.
XXXVIII “nations” = goy. From the same root as gevah (the back, person, or body); related to gev (among); related to gaah (to rise up). This is nation or people. Often used to refer to Gentiles or foreign nations. It can also be used figuratively for a group of animals. This is where the Yiddish “goy” comes from.
XXXIX “rebellious” = sarar. 17x in OT. This is turning away, backsliding, rebellious.
XL “exalt” = rum. This is to rise or raise, to be high literally or figuratively. So it can also mean to exalt or extol.

8 BlessXLI our God, O peoples,XLII
    let the soundXLIII of his praise be heard,XLIV

Notes on verse 8

XLI “bless” = barak. This is to kneel, to bless. It is blessing God as part of worship and adoration or blessing humans to help them. It can be used as a euphemism to say curse God.
XLII “peoples” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.
XLIII “sound” = qol. This is a sound, used often for human voices. Also used when God speaks or angels, animals or instruments. It can be a cry or a noise, thunder or earthquakes and so on.
XLIV “heard” = shama. This is to hear, call, consent, or consider. It implies listening intelligently, giving attention, and, because of these two factors, obedience and action are often implied.

9 who has keptXLV usXLVI among the living,XLVII
    and has not letXLVIII our feet slip.XLIX

Notes on verse 9

XLV “kept” = sum. Same as “give” in v2. See note IX above.
XLVI “us” = nephesh. Literally “our soul.” Related to naphash (to refresh or be refreshed). This is soul, self, person, emotion. It is a breathing creature. Can also refer to appetites and desires.
XLVII “living” = chay. From chayah (to live or keep alive literally or figuratively). This is alive, living, lifetime. It can also be used to describe someone’s age. It can refer to animals, plants, water, or a company or congregation of people. It is life in a very broad sense.
XLVIII “let” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.
XLIX “slip” = mot. 6x in OT. From mot (to shake, slip, falter, stagger, move, fall, give way, waver, be carried). This is a pole, a bar for carrying, a yoke.


Image credit: “A Scene from Exodus – Moses separating the red sea to free Israelites from bondage of Egyptians” by Ramesh Raju, 1997.

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