Psalms 66:2

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Sing forth {H2167}{H8761)} the honour {H3519} of his name {H8034}: make {H7760}{H8798)} his praise {H8416} glorious {H3519}.

Sing the glory of his name, make his praise glorious.

Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.

Sing forth the glory of his name: Make his praise glorious.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 66:2 KJV

Psalm 66 is a powerful psalm of thanksgiving and praise, celebrating God's mighty works and His faithfulness. It begins with a universal call to worship, inviting "all the earth" to acknowledge the Lord's greatness. Verse 2 specifically directs the manner of this worship: "Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious." This verse serves as a foundational declaration for proper worship, emphasizing both vocal expression and the exaltation of God's character.

Context

This psalm is often understood as a communal hymn of thanksgiving, possibly composed after a great deliverance or a significant national blessing. It recounts God's awe-inspiring deeds, from the Exodus (Psalm 66:6) to His ongoing watchfulness over nations. The call to "sing forth" and "make his praise glorious" is therefore a response to God's evident power and goodness, inviting the entire community to participate in a magnanimous expression of gratitude and reverence.

Key Themes

  • Vocal and Public Worship: The imperative "Sing forth" highlights the importance of audible, expressive worship. It's not a private whisper but a declaration meant to be heard, reflecting the joy and reverence of the worshipper.
  • Honoring God's Name: "The honour of his name" refers to God's reputation, character, and all that He is. To sing forth His honor is to proclaim His attributes—His power, faithfulness, holiness, and love—and to acknowledge His supreme authority. This concept is central to biblical worship, as seen in other calls to "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name".
  • Glorious Praise: To "make his praise glorious" means to render it magnificent, weighty, and evident. It implies a quality of worship that reflects God's own majesty, not merely going through the motions but offering praise that is heartfelt, enthusiastic, and truly exalts Him. It's about magnifying God's worth in the eyes of all who witness the praise.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "honour" or "glory" here is kavod (כָּבוֹד), which literally means "weight" or "heaviness." In a theological sense, it refers to God's inherent majesty, splendor, and reputation. When we "sing forth the honour of his name," we are acknowledging the immense "weight" of His glory and character.
  • "Praise" comes from the Hebrew tehillah (תְּהִלָּה), which often refers to a song of praise or a hymn. The command is not just to praise, but to make that praise itself a glorious spectacle, worthy of the God being praised.

Related Scriptures

The call to praise God's name and make His praise glorious echoes throughout Scripture. For instance, Psalm 145:3 declares, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised," underscoring the boundless nature of His praiseworthiness. Similarly, the New Testament exhorts believers to offer "the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15), connecting vocal praise directly to honoring His name. This aligns with God's purpose for His people, as stated in Isaiah 43:21: "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise."

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 66:2 is a timeless invitation to engage in purposeful and passionate worship.

  • Intentional Worship: Our praise should not be perfunctory but deliberate, focusing on God's character and deeds. Whether in private devotion or corporate gatherings, we are called to actively "sing forth" His honor.
  • Magnifying God: To "make his praise glorious" means to elevate God above all else in our worship. This involves not just the words we use, but the attitude of our hearts, expressing genuine awe and reverence for His majesty.
  • Living a Life of Praise: Beyond vocal expression, our lives can be a testament to God's honor. When we live in obedience and reflect His character, our actions become a form of praise that brings glory to His name in the world.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 105:2

    Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

  • Psalms 105:3

    Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

  • Revelation 5:13

    And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

  • Isaiah 49:13

    ¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

  • Isaiah 42:12

    Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

  • Isaiah 12:4

    ¶ And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

  • Isaiah 12:6

    Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
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