Psalms 66:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician, A Song [or] Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)}, A Song {H7892} or Psalm {H4210}. Make a joyful noise {H7321}{H8685)} unto God {H430}, all ye lands {H776}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. A song. A psalm: Shout to God, all the earth!

Berean Standard Bible

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!

American Standard Version

Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth:

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 opens with a grand, universal invitation to worship, immediately establishing its scope beyond the nation of Israel. While verse 1 is a general, inclusive call, the subsequent verses swiftly provide the profound justification for such praise, recounting God's "awesome works" ([Psalm 66:3](/psalms/66-3 "Psalm 66:3 - God's Awesome Deeds")), particularly His miraculous interventions in Israel's history, such as the "parting of the Red Sea" ([Psalm 66:6](/psalms/66-6 "Psalm 66:6 - God's Mighty Acts at the Sea")) and the "crossing of the Jordan" ([Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River")). The psalm then transitions from corporate praise to a more personal testimony of God's faithfulness through trials (vv. 8-12) and concludes with individual vows of praise and thanksgiving for answered prayer (vv. 13-20). Thus, verse 1 functions as a powerful overture, setting the stage for a comprehensive declaration of God's power, faithfulness, and the appropriate, uninhibited response of all creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription, "To the chief Musician, A Song [or] Psalm," indicates its intended use in public worship, likely led by a designated choir director or worship leader (`lamnatseach`). This suggests a liturgical setting, possibly for a national festival, a communal celebration of a significant deliverance, or a general assembly for worship. In ancient Israel, worship was often localized and primarily focused on the God of Israel. However, the phrase "all ye lands" (Hebrew: `kol-hā'ārets`) is remarkably inclusive and forward-looking, pointing to a theological understanding that God's sovereignty extends over all nations and peoples, not just Israel. This universal scope, while not fully realized until the New Testament era, reflects a prophetic vision of God's ultimate global dominion and the future inclusion of Gentiles in His worship, a theme powerfully echoed in other prophetic books like [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light for the Gentiles").
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in Psalm 66:1 is the **Universal Call to Worship**. The explicit command for "all ye lands" to praise God underscores His ultimate and inherent sovereignty over all creation and humanity, transcending national or ethnic boundaries. This leads directly to the theme of **Exuberant and Uninhibited Praise**, as the phrase "Make a joyful noise" (Hebrew: `rûa'`) implies a fervent, unreserved, and often loud expression of adoration, contrasting sharply with timid or merely ritualistic worship. This enthusiastic response is implicitly rooted in the overarching theme of **God's Worthiness of Praise**, which the psalm elaborates on by detailing His "terrible acts" ([Psalm 66:3](/psalms/66-3 "Psalm 66:3 - God's Awesome Deeds")) and "mighty works" ([Psalm 66:5](/psalms/66-5 "God's Wonders Among the Children of Men")). The verse also subtly introduces the **Prophetic Vision of Gentile Inclusion**, foreshadowing the New Testament's revelation that God's salvation and call to worship are for all humanity, as seen in passages like [Romans 15:11](/romans/15-11 "Romans 15:11 - Gentiles Glorifying God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Make a joyful noise (Hebrew, _rûwaʻ_):** This verb, `rûwaʻ`, signifies more than just making a sound; it denotes a loud shout, a war-cry, a trumpet blast, a cheer of triumph, or an acclamation. It conveys a sense of unreserved, exultant, and powerful expression, akin to a shout of victory or a roar of applause. In the context of worship, it implies fervent, boisterous, and unrestrained praise, reflecting the greatness and awesome power of the God being lauded.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym_):** This is the plural form of `ʼĕlôah`, but when used with the definite article or in contexts referring to the singular, supreme God (as here), it refers to the one true God, the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. It can also denote judges or mighty ones, but its primary and most frequent use, especially in the Psalms, is for the divine being, emphasizing His majesty, power, and ultimate authority.
* **lands (Hebrew, _ʼerets_):** While `ʼerets` can mean "earth" or "land," in the plural form `kol-hā'ārets` ("all the lands" or "all the earth"), it clearly refers to all the peoples, nations, or inhabitants of the world. This emphasizes the universal and inclusive scope of God's rightful praise, extending the command beyond the nation of Israel to every corner of the globe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ To the chief Musician, A Song [or] Psalm.":** This superscription serves as an editorial note or instruction for the psalm's liturgical use. It indicates that the psalm was intended for public, musical performance, likely under the direction of the choir leader or music director (`lamnatseach`). It also identifies the genre as both a "song" (to be sung) and a "psalm" (a sacred poem, often accompanied by instrumental music).
* **"Make a joyful noise unto God":** This is a direct imperative, a divine command issued to the audience. It calls for an active, vibrant, and enthusiastic vocal expression of praise, specifically directed towards God, highlighting His sole worthiness of such adoration and the appropriate, uninhibited response to His greatness.
* **"all ye lands":** This phrase expands the scope of the imperative, extending the command to worship beyond the traditional boundaries of Israel to include all nations, peoples, and inhabitants of the entire earth, underscoring God's universal sovereignty and the global reach of His glory and rightful praise.

#### 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.

* [Psalm 100:1](/psalms/100-1 "Psalm 100:1 - Make a joyful noise to the Lord")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light for the Gentiles")
* [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - Redeemed from Every Tribe and Nation")

### 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
* **How does your personal worship reflect the "joyful noise" described in this verse, and what might hinder you from offering more uninhibited praise to God?**
* **In what practical ways can you, as an individual or as part of a faith community, embrace the "all ye lands" aspect of this call to worship, extending your concern and prayers beyond your immediate context?**
* **How does recognizing God's universal sovereignty (as implied by "all ye lands") impact your understanding of His character, His global plan, and your place within it?**

### 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](/romans/15-9-11 "Romans 15:9-11 - Gentiles Glorifying God").

**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](/psalms/95-1-2 "Psalm 95:1-2 - Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord!"). 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](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). 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](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). It is through Christ alone that people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb")) are redeemed by the "blood of the Lamb" ([Revelation 7:14](/revelation/7-14 "Revelation 7:14 - Washed in the Blood of the Lamb")) and gather to offer the joyful noise of worship to God. The "Lamb who was slain" ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb")) 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](/psalms/22-27 "Psalm 22:27 - All the Ends of the Earth Shall Remember")) 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](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")), to the glory of God the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 16:23

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

1 Chronicles 16:24

Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

Psalms 100:1

¶ A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Psalms 98:4

¶ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Psalms 81:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Psalms 150:6

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

1 Chronicles 15:28

Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.