Psalm 66:4 - Make a Joyful Noise

Audio Bible

Context

Make a Joyful Noise
…3Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You. 4All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You; they sing praise to Your name.” Selah 5Come and see the works of God; how awesome are His deeds toward mankind.…

Cross References

Philippians 2:10-11
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.Romans 14:11
It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”Psalm 22:27
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.Psalm 86:9
All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”Psalm 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises!Psalm 117:1
Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!Isaiah 42:10-12
Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. / Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; let the villages of Kedar cry aloud. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. / Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.Revelation 19:6
And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.Psalm 96:1-3
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. / Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. / Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.Psalm 148:7-13
Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, / lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, / mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, ...Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.Psalm 67:3-4
Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. / Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples justly and lead the nations of the earth. Selah

Psalm 22:27
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Psalm 65:5
By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

Psalm 67:2,3
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations…

Jump to Previous

Jump to Next

Psalm 66

All the earth bows down to You;
This phrase emphasizes the universal recognition of God's sovereignty. The imagery of bowing down signifies submission and reverence, which is a common theme throughout the Psalms. In biblical context, bowing is an act of worship and acknowledgment of authority, seen in passages like Philippians 2:10, where every knee shall bow to Jesus. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of bowing to kings and deities, indicating that all creation acknowledges God's supreme rule. The prophetic aspect can be seen in the anticipation of a future time when all nations will recognize God's authority, as prophesied in Isaiah 45:23.

they sing praise to You;
Singing praise is a central element of worship in the Bible, reflecting joy and gratitude towards God. This phrase highlights the response of creation to God's majesty and works. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, music and singing were integral to worship, as seen in the temple services led by the Levites. The Psalms themselves are a collection of songs meant for worship. This act of singing is not just a ritual but an expression of heartfelt devotion, as seen in Ephesians 5:19, where believers are encouraged to sing and make music in their hearts to the Lord.

they sing praise to Your name.”
The repetition of singing praise underscores its importance and the focus on God's name signifies His character and deeds. In biblical terms, a name represents the essence and reputation of a person. God's name is often associated with His attributes, such as holiness, love, and justice. This phrase connects to the Third Commandment, which emphasizes the sanctity of God's name (Exodus 20:7). The act of praising God's name is a declaration of His nature and works, as seen in Psalm 103:1, where David blesses the Lord's holy name.

Selah
The term "Selah" appears frequently in the Psalms and is thought to be a musical or liturgical marker, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or a musical interlude. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it invites the reader or listener to pause and consider the preceding words. In this context, "Selah" encourages contemplation of the universal worship and praise of God, inviting believers to reflect on the majesty and sovereignty of God over all the earth.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Earth
Represents all of creation, emphasizing the universality of God's dominion and the call for all creation to worship Him.

2. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is the one who composes this song of praise, calling all to worship God.

3. God
The central figure of worship in this verse, recognized as the sovereign Creator deserving of universal praise.

4. Worship
The act of bowing down and singing praises, highlighting the response of creation to God's majesty.

5. The Name of God
Represents God's character and reputation, which is worthy of praise and reverence.

Teaching Points

Universal Worship
Recognize that worship is not limited to a specific group but is a call for all creation. Reflect on how your life can be an act of worship to God.

The Power of Praise
Understand the importance of singing praises to God. Consider incorporating more praise into your daily routine as a way to honor God.

Reverence for God's Name
God's name is holy and worthy of respect. Evaluate how you use God's name in your speech and actions.

Creation's Response
All of creation is designed to worship God. Contemplate how you can join in this cosmic chorus through your actions and attitudes.

Anticipation of Fulfillment
Look forward to the day when all will acknowledge God's sovereignty. Live in a way that anticipates and reflects this future reality.

Verse 4. - All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy Name (see above, ver. 1, and compare the passages quoted in the comment ad loc.). Dr. Kay notes that "the universality of the Church is clearly contemplated" in all the psalms from Psalm 65 to Psalm 68. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

All
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the earth
הָאָ֤רֶץ ׀ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

bows down
יִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ (yiš·ta·ḥă·wū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

to You;
לְ֭ךָ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

they sing praise
וִֽיזַמְּרוּ־ (wî·zam·mə·rū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2167: Play, to make music, celebrate in song and music

to You;
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

they sing praise
יְזַמְּר֖וּ (yə·zam·mə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2167: Play, to make music, celebrate in song and music

to Your name.”
שִׁמְךָ֣ (šim·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Selah
סֶֽלָה׃ (se·lāh)
Interjection
Strong's 5542: Suspension, pause

Links

Psalm 66:4 NIV
Psalm 66:4 NLT
Psalm 66:4 ESV
Psalm 66:4 NASB
Psalm 66:4 KJVPsalm 66:4 BibleApps.com
Psalm 66:4 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 66:4 Chinese Bible
Psalm 66:4 French Bible
Psalm 66:4 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 66:4 All the earth will worship you (Psalm Ps Psa.)