Psalms 66:12

12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Psalms 66:12 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance.
The Message Bible (MSG)
12 Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place.
American Standard Version (ASV)
12 Thou didst cause men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
12 You let people ride over our heads. We went through fire and water, but then you brought us out and refreshed us.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us out to abundance.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
12 You let people run over our heads. We went through fire and water. But you brought us to a place where we have everything we need.

Psalms 66:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 66:12

Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads
Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it of the kings and nations of the world ruling over Israel; and may very well design the Heathen powers and antichristian states tyrannizing over Christian people. The word in the original text is singular, "a man" F3, a frail mortal man; and may be understood of the man of sin and son of perdition; who rides upon the heads of men, exalts himself above all that is called God, and has exercised dominion over the saints in a most lawless and tyrannical manner. Vitringa, on ( Isaiah 43:2 ) interprets it of Antiochus Epiphanes, who was a type of antichrist, and supposes the following clause to refer to the persecution of the church in his time. The Targum renders it, "a lord of rebuke"; that is, either one worthy of rebuke, as antichrist is; or one that gives rebukes, delivers out anathemas and excommunications, as he does: though some translate the words of the Targum, "lords of usury", or "usurers"; a title not unfit for the creatures of antichrist;

we went through fire and through water;
through afflictions, compared to fire and water; through fiery trials and overwhelming providences, though not destroyed by them, because the Lord was with them; see ( Isaiah 43:2 ) ; therefore they are said to go through them, not to abide in them; nor to sink under them, and perish by them: they went cheerfully through them for Christ's sake, even the greatest hardships and difficulties, which this phrase may be expressive of. It may have a particular reference to the sufferings of the saints in Gospel times; to the burning of the martyrs with fire and faggot, who, like Elijah, went up to heaven in a fiery chariot; and to the flood of waters cast out after the woman, the church, by the dragon; see ( Revelation 1:15 ) ( Revelation 12:15 Revelation 12:16 ) ;

but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy [place];
the Targum is, into largeness; or into a large place; see ( Psalms 18:19 ) ( 118:5 ) . This may intend either the state of the church upon the Reformation, or rather as it will be in the latter day glory; when there will be a large spread of the Gospel, and of the interest of Christ, everywhere; when the church will be enlarged with converts, and the members of it with the gifts and graces of the Spirit; and which will be a state of great liberty and freedom in the worship of God, both inward and outward. The Septuagint version renders it, "into refreshment": so the Tigurine version, and Piscator; as those times will be times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, which will be everywhere among his people, in his word and ordinances, and to a great degree; see ( Acts 3:19 ) . The Arabic version, "unto rest"; from adversity, from persecution; for, after this state takes place, there will be no more persecution; no more fines, imprisonment, racks, and torturing deaths, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. The word used signifies a well watered place F4 or land; such as was the land of Canaan, ( Deuteronomy 8:7-9 ) ; and such will be the state of the church in the latter day: the Spirit will be poured down like floods of water upon the dry ground; the doctrines of the Gospel will drop as the rain, and as showers upon the grass: the ordinances of it will be as green pastures beside the still waters; and every believer will be as a watered garden, whose springs fail not; it will be a time of great plenty and prosperity in spiritual things. Ainsworth renders it, "to an abundant place"; so Gejerus: a place abounding with all good things: a "wealthy" one, as we translate it. And even in a literal sense this will be the wealthy time of the church; when kings shall come into it, and bring their riches and honour there, and use them for the good of it, ( Isaiah 49:23 ) ( Isaiah 60:3 Isaiah 60:11 Isaiah 60:16 Isaiah 60:17 ) ; and then also will the saints be enriched with every gift, and be rich in grace and in all good works.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (vwna) "hominem", Pagninus, Montanus.
F4 (hywrl) "ad irrignam", Pagninus, Montanus.

Psalms 66:12 In-Context

10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Isaiah 51:23
  • 2. Psalms 18:19; Isaiah 43:2
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