TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Geneva Bible (1599)
To him that excelleth. A song or Psalme. Rejoice in God, all ye inhabitants of the earth.
See also
In the KJVVerse 14,875 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 66 verses 1–7
1 ¶ To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
I. In these verses the psalmist calls upon all people to praise God, all lands, all the earth, all the inhabitants of the world that are capable of praising God, Psa 66:1. 1. This speaks the glory of God, that he is worthy to be praised by all, for he is good to all and furnishes every nation with matter for praise. 2. The duty of man, that all are obliged to praise God; it is part of the law of creation, and therefore is required of every creature. 3. A prediction of the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ; the time should come when all lands should praise God, and this incense should in every place be offered to him. 4. A hearty good-will which the psalmist had to this good work of praising God. He will abound in it himself, and wishes that God might have his tribute paid him by all the nations of the earth and not by the land of Israel only. He excites all lands, (1.) To make a joyful noise to God. Holy joy is that devout affection which should animate all our praises; and, though it is not making a noise in religion that God will accept of (hypocrites are said to cause their voice to be heard on high, Isa 58:4), yet, in praising God, [1.] We must be hearty and zealous, and must do what we do with all our might, with all that is within us. [2.] We must be open and public, as those that are not ashamed of our Master. And both these are implied in making a noise, a joyful noise. (2.) To sing with pleasure, and to sing forth, for the edification of others, the honour of his name, that is, of all that whereby he has made himself known, Psa 66:2. That which is the honour of God's name ought to be the matter of our praise. (3.) To make his praise glorious as far as we can. In praising God we must do it so as to glorify him, and that must be the scope and drift of all our praises. Reckon it your greatest glory to praise God, so some. It is the highest honour the creature is capable of to be to the Creator for a name and a praise.
II. He had called upon all lands to praise God (Psa 66:1), and he foretels (Psa 66:4) that they shall do so: All the earth shall worship thee; some in all parts of the earth, even the remotest regions, for the everlasting gospel shall be preached to every nation and kindred; and this is the purport of it, Worship him that made heaven and earth, Rev 14:6, Rev 14:7. Being thus sent forth, it shall not return void, but shall bring all the earth, more or less, to worship God, and sing unto him. In gospel times God shall be worshipped by the singing of Psalms. They shall sing to God, that is, sing to his name, for it is only to his declarative glory, that by which he has made himself known, not to his essential glory, that we can contribute any thing by our praises.
III. That we may be furnished with matter for praise, we are here called upon to come and see the works of God; for his own works praise him, whether we do or no; and the reason why we do not praise him more and better is because we do not duly and attentively observe them. Let us therefore see God's works and observe the instances of his wisdom, power, and faithfulness in them (Psa 66:5), and then speak of them, and speak of them to him (Psa 66:3): Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works, terrible in thy doings! 1. God's works are wonderful in themselves, and such as, when duly considered, may justly fill us with amazement. God is terrible (that is, admirable) in his works, through the greatness of his power, which is such, and shines so brightly, so strongly, in all he does, that it may be truly said there are not any works like unto his works. Hence he is said to be fearful in praises, Exo 15:11. In all his doings towards the children of men he is terrible, and to be eyed with a holy awe. Much of religion lies in a reverence for the divine Providence. 2. They are formidable to his enemies, and have many a time forced and frightened them into a feigned submission (Psa 66:3): Through the greatness of thy power, before which none can stand, shall thy enemies submit themselves unto thee; they shall lie unto thee (so the word is), that is, they shall be compelled, sorely against their wills, to make their peace with thee upon any terms. Subjection extorted by fear is seldom sincere, and therefore force is no proper means of propagating religion, nor can there be much joy of such proselytes to the church as will in the end be found liars unto it, Deu 33:29. 3. They are comfortable and beneficial to his people, Psa 66:6. When Israel came out of Egypt, he turned the sea into dry land before them, which encouraged them to follow God's guidance through the wilderness; and, when they were to enter Canaan, for their encouragement in their wars Jordan was divided before them, and they went through that flood on foot; and such foot, so signally owned by heaven, might well pass for cavalry, rather than infantry, in the wars of the Lord. There did the enemies tremble before them (Exo 15:14, Exo 15:15; Jos 5:1), but there did we rejoice in him, both trust his power (for relying on God is often expressed by rejoicing in him) and sing his praise, Psa 106:12. There did we rejoice; that is, our ancestors did, and we in their loins. The joys of our fathers were our joys, and we ought to look upon ourselves as sharers in them. 4. They are commanding to all. God by his works keeps up his dominion in the world (Psa 66:7): He rules by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations. (1.) God has a commanding eye; from the height of heaven his eye commands all the inhabitants of the world, and he has a clear and full view of them all. His eyes run to and fro through the earth; the most remote and obscure nations are under his inspection. (2.) He has a commanding arm; his power rules, rules for ever, and is never weakened, never obstructed. Strong is his hand, and high is his right hand. Hence he infers, Let not the rebellious exalt themselves; let not those that have revolting and rebellious hearts dare to rise up in any overt acts of rebellion against God, as Adonijah exalted himself, saying, I will be king. Let not those that are in rebellion against God exalt themselves as if there were any probability that they should gain their point. No; let them be still, for God hath said, I will be exalted, and man cannot gainsay it.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 66
...Thence he begins, "Be joyful in God." Who? "Every land" [Psalm 66:1]. Not therefore Judæa alone. See, brethren, after what sort is set forth the universality of the Church in the whole world spread abroad: and mourn ye not only the Jews, who envied the Gentiles that grace, but still more for heretics wail ye. For if they are to be mourned, that have not been gathered together, how much more they that being gathered together have been divided? "Jubilate in God every land." What is "jubilate"? Into the voice of rejoicings break forth if you cannot into that of words. For "jubilation" is not of words, but the sound alone of men rejoicing is uttered, as of a heart labouring and bringing forth into voice the pleasure of a thing imagined which cannot be expressed. "Be joyful in God every land:" let no one jubilate in a part: let every land be joyful, let the Catholic Church jubilate. The Catholic Church embraces the whole: whosoever holds a part and from the whole is cut off, should howl, not jubilate.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 66:1 issues a majestic and expansive command, calling "all ye lands" to "make a joyful noise unto God." This opening verse serves as a powerful overture to a psalm of communal thanksgiving, establishing God's universal sovereignty and inherent worthiness of praise, inviting a fervent and unreserved expression of adoration from all peoples in response to His mighty and awesome deeds throughout history and in their personal lives.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 66:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its universal call to worship. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood in "Make a joyful noise," which creates a direct, urgent, and authoritative call to action, demanding an immediate and enthusiastic response from the audience. The phrase "all ye lands" utilizes Universalism, a sweeping declaration that extends the scope of the command to the entire world, emphasizing God's comprehensive sovereignty and the ultimate destiny of all creation to worship Him. This also functions as a Prophetic Declaration, foreshadowing a time when God's praise will indeed emanate from every corner of the earth. While not a direct onomatopoeia, the Hebrew word rûwa' itself carries strong Auditory Imagery, evoking the very sound of a triumphant shout or blast, thereby reinforcing the nature of the "joyful noise" commanded. The psalm begins with this grand, universal call, setting a broad thematic scope that the subsequent verses will fill with specific reasons for such praise, creating a form of Inclusio with the psalm's overall message of God's universal power and faithfulness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 66:1 is a profound theological statement, asserting God's universal sovereignty and inherent worthiness of praise from all creation. It transcends the typical nationalistic focus of much Old Testament worship, declaring that the God of Israel is indeed the God of "all ye lands." This universal call is not merely an invitation but a divine command, rooted in God's character as Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate Ruler of the cosmos. It foreshadows the New Testament's revelation of a salvation that extends to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan has always encompassed humanity beyond the covenant people of Israel. The "joyful noise" is the appropriate, uninhibited response to a God whose power, faithfulness, and redemptive love are limitless.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 66:1 serves as a timeless summons for believers today to engage in worship that is both passionate and globally minded. It challenges us to move beyond passive, timid, or culturally constrained expressions of faith, encouraging a heartfelt, uninhibited, and exuberant response to God's greatness. Our praise should reflect the depth of our gratitude, awe, and adoration for His mighty works, His unchanging character, and His personal faithfulness in our lives. Furthermore, the command for "all ye lands" to make a joyful noise reminds us that our God is the God of all nations, not just our own. This should ignite within us a fervent desire to see His glory proclaimed throughout the earth, compelling us to participate in and support global missions, prayer for the unreached, and cross-cultural ministry. Our worship, therefore, becomes a powerful declaration of God's supreme authority and power over all creation, including our own lives, urging us to live in a manner that consistently brings Him honor and glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "To the chief Musician" mean in the superscription?
Answer: This phrase, translated from the Hebrew lamnatseach, indicates that the psalm was given to the director of music or the choir leader. It signifies that Psalm 66 was intended for public, liturgical use, likely to be performed musically in the Temple or tabernacle. It highlights the psalm's role in the organized worship life of ancient Israel, suggesting a structured and intentional approach to communal praise.
Why does Psalm 66:1 call for "all ye lands" to praise God, rather than just Israel?
Answer: The phrase "all ye lands" (Hebrew: kol-hā'ārets) signifies a universal scope, extending the call to praise beyond the chosen people of Israel to all nations and inhabitants of the world. This is a profound theological statement, asserting God's universal sovereignty over all creation. It reflects a prophetic vision that God's glory and rightful worship are not confined to one nation but are due from all peoples, foreshadowing the global reach of the gospel and the ultimate inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom, as seen in passages like Romans 15:9-11.
Is "Make a joyful noise" a command to be loud in worship?
Answer: While the Hebrew verb rûwaʻ certainly implies a robust, often loud, and uninhibited expression, its core meaning is about a triumphant, exultant shout, cheer, or acclamation. It emphasizes the fervor, passion, and unreservedness of praise rather than merely volume for its own sake. It suggests a worship that is heartfelt, overflowing with joy, and demonstrative of God's greatness, much like a shout of victory or a celebratory cheer, as exemplified in Psalm 95:1-2. It is an invitation to express profound joy and awe in a way that fully engages one's being.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The universal call for "all ye lands" to "make a joyful noise unto God" in Psalm 66:1 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Through His atoning death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, Christ has decisively broken down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity reconciled to God in His body (Ephesians 2:14-16). The prophetic vision of all nations praising God is being realized as the gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, goes forth to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). It is through Christ alone that people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9) are redeemed by the "blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14) and gather to offer the joyful noise of worship to God. The "Lamb who was slain" (Revelation 5:12) is now seated on the throne, receiving the praise of the entire cosmos, bringing to fruition the ancient psalmist's longing for "all the ends of the earth" (Psalm 22:27) to remember and turn to the Lord. This culminates in the eschatological reality where "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11), to the glory of God the Father.