Psalm 66 Study Notes

66:11 Lured us into a trap indicates that the people were unaware of what God was doing. If this is related to the time of Egyptian bondage, there is a possible link to Joseph’s situation of being caught in a trap and sold into slavery. This event led Israel into Egypt, and later burdens were placed on their backs.

66:12 Men riding over the heads is a description of oppression. There is also perhaps an allusion to the chariots of Egypt. Fire and water are used elsewhere in the context of trials (Is 43:2), but they may also allude to God’s pillar of fire and the water of the Red Sea. Since they are transitional from the burdens (Ps 66:11-12) to the blessings (v. 12), it is possible that there is a double meaning here.

66:13-15 These offerings represent the fulfillment of vows made during a time of prayer (see notes at 22:25-26; 50:14-15). Considering the quantity being offered, it is possible that this represents others who were joining in as a result of God’s answer to prayer. This reinforces the connection between God’s work in the life of a person and his work in the community.

66:16-17 Public testimony and praise is a responsibility of those who have experienced answered prayer (see note at 22:22-24).

66:18-20 Awareness of malice means that a person is conscious of wrong motives. Hypocrisy is a barrier in one’s relationship with God and is reflected in God’s refusal to listen to prayer (Is 59:2-4). The fact that God did answer proves there was no hypocrisy.