Psalms 66:11

11 Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit,

Psalms 66:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 66:11

Thou broughtest us into the net
That is, suffered them to be taken in the net of wicked men, which they laid and spread for them; whereby they were drawn either into bad principles or bad practices, or into ruinous circumstances; though the Lord does not leave his own people there, but breaks the net or snare, sooner or later, and they escape; see ( Psalms 9:15 ) ( 10:9 ) ( Psalms 124:6 Psalms 124:7 ) . Jarchi interprets it of a strait place, as in a prison; and which has often been literally true of the people of God, into which, though they have been cast by Satan, or by men instigated by him, yet, because permitted by the Lord, it is ascribed to him, ( Revelation 2:10 ) ;

thou laidst affliction upon our loins:
the Targum renders it "a chain": the word signifies anything that is binding and pressing; it seems to be a metaphor taken from the binding of burdens upon the backs of any creatures. Afflictions often lie heavy upon the saints, are very close upon them, and press them sore, even, as they sometimes think, beyond measure; though the Lord supports them, and will not suffer them to sink under them.

Psalms 66:11 In-Context

9 Didn't he set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out of the ditch?
10 He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires,
11 Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit,
12 Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place.
13 I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house. I'm doing what I said I'd do,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.