Psalm 66:7 kjv
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
Psalm 66:7 nkjv
He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
Psalm 66:7 niv
He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations? let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Psalm 66:7 esv
who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations ? let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
Psalm 66:7 nlt
For by his great power he rules forever.
He watches every movement of the nations;
let no rebel rise in defiance. Interlude
Psalm 66 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 103:19 | The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His kingdom rules over all. | God's supreme and universal reign. |
| Dan 4:17 | The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whomever He wishes. | God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and kingdoms. |
| Psa 145:13 | Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. | The eternal and unending nature of God's rule. |
| Psa 22:28 | For dominion belongs to the LORD, And He rules over the nations. | Affirmation of God's rightful kingship over all peoples. |
| Psa 29:10 | The LORD sits enthroned as King forever. | God's permanent and unchangeable kingship. |
| 1 Tim 1:17 | Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever. | Ascribing eternal glory to God as the timeless King. |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good. | God's omniscience and constant watch over humanity. |
| Jer 32:19 | Great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men. | God's complete awareness of human actions and paths. |
| 2 Chron 16:9 | For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. | God's active observation, looking for faithfulness. |
| Heb 4:13 | And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him. | Nothing in creation can be concealed from God's sight. |
| Zech 4:10 | For these seven are the eyes of the LORD which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth. | Symbolic representation of God's omniscient observation. |
| Psa 33:13-14 | The LORD looks from heaven... He considers all their works. | God's watchful gaze from His heavenly throne over all human activity. |
| Job 12:13 | With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding. | Acknowledging God's inherent strength and knowledge. |
| Eph 1:19 | And what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. | The unparalleled extent of God's power in action. |
| Psa 75:5-7 | Do not lift up your horn on high... no promotion comes from the east... but God is the Judge. | God alone raises and brings down, opposing human arrogance. |
| Psa 18:27 | For You save an afflicted people, But You humble haughty eyes. | God's consistent practice of exalting the humble and bringing down the proud. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a stumble. | A universal principle concerning the outcome of pride. |
| Isa 2:12 | For the day of the LORD of hosts will be upon everything proud and lofty... that it may be humbled. | Prophecy of divine judgment on all forms of human arrogance. |
| Dan 4:37 | Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven... for those who walk in pride He is able to humble. | A powerful testimony to God's ability to humble the proudest rulers. |
| Jas 4:6 | But He gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” | New Testament reiteration of God's opposition to pride. |
| Psa 33:10 | The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. | God's effective sovereignty over the schemes of earthly powers. |
| Psa 47:8 | God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. | Explicit statement of God's kingly rule over gentiles. |
Psalm 66 verses
Psalm 66 7 Meaning
Psalm 66:7 proclaims God's unchallengeable and eternal dominion over all creation. It declares that His power perpetually sustains His rule, and His omniscient presence keeps vigilant watch over every nation. Consequently, this divine reality serves as an authoritative warning and a certain judgment: those who rebel against His sovereign will will not succeed in their self-exaltation. This verse asserts God's absolute authority as the universal King and Judge.
Psalm 66 7 Context
Psalm 66 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, divided into two main sections: a communal invitation to worship God for His awesome works on behalf of His people (verses 1-12) and a personal vow to fulfill promises to God (verses 13-20). Verse 7 stands prominently within the communal praise, asserting the theological foundation for the celebration – God's eternal and active rule over the entire world. Historically, this psalm might have been sung after a significant national deliverance or at a liturgical festival, such as Passover or Sukkot, commemorating God's historical acts of power. In the context of ancient Near Eastern cultures, where gods were often perceived as limited to specific territories or peoples, the assertion of Israel's God, Yahweh, as sovereign over all nations was a profound statement of monotheistic uniqueness and divine universality, serving as a direct theological challenge to the territorial and hierarchical polytheistic beliefs of surrounding peoples.
Psalm 66 7 Word analysis
He rules: (Hebrew: moshel - מֹשֵׁל) This is a participle, indicating a continuous and active state of governing. It's not a past or future rule but an ongoing, ever-present reality. It speaks to God's continuous, dynamic governance over all creation.
by His might: (Hebrew: begevurato - בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ) Gevurah signifies strength, power, or might, often connoting valor or divine omnipotence. It highlights that God's rule is not just by decree, but by an inherent, irresistible power that enforces His will and authority.
forever: (Hebrew: le'olam - לְעוֹלָם) Denotes an unending, eternal duration. This emphasizes the permanency and immutability of God's rule, contrasting sharply with the transient nature of human kingdoms and authority.
His eyes: (Hebrew: einav - עֵינָיו) This is an anthropomorphic expression for God's perfect omniscience and omnipresence. It implies that God is fully aware of everything that transpires on earth, observing all actions and intentions of both nations and individuals.
keep watch: (Hebrew: yishmeru - יִשְׁמְרוּ) From the root shamar, meaning to guard, preserve, observe, or watch. It signifies active vigilance and purposeful oversight. This watching is not passive but implies divine intervention, either for protection of His people or judgment upon the wicked.
on the nations: (Hebrew: bagoyim - בַּגּוֹיִם) Refers to all non-Israelite peoples or ethnic groups. This universal scope underscores God's sovereignty extending beyond His chosen people to encompass every land and every human society, reaffirming His universal dominion.
let not the rebellious exalt themselves: (Hebrew: al-yarumu sorerim - אַל־יָרוּמוּ סוֹרְרִים)
- let not: (al) is a strong negative imperative, acting as a warning, a prayer, or a declaration of certainty regarding an action that will not be permitted or succeed.
- the rebellious: (sorerim) from sarar, meaning stubborn, wayward, disobedient, or apostate. It describes those who defy legitimate authority, particularly God's.
- exalt themselves: (yarumu) from rum, meaning to be high, rise up, be lifted up. In this context, it implies self-exaltation, pride, or rebellion against God's ultimate authority.This phrase functions as a divine warning or a prayer request that rebellious human powers would not succeed in their defiance, confirming their eventual futility and downfall under God's watchful might.
He rules by His might forever: This phrase encapsulates God's eternal, unchallengeable reign, highlighting that His dominion is not dependent on human assent but flows from His intrinsic, unending power.
His eyes keep watch on the nations: This emphasizes God's active, knowing oversight over all human affairs globally, asserting His constant engagement with and awareness of the actions of every people.
let not the rebellious exalt themselves: This serves as a concluding declaration or plea, assuring that any attempt by nations or individuals to rise up in pride against God's sovereign rule will be thwarted by His vigilant and powerful hand.
Psalm 66 7 Bonus section
The strong moral dimension embedded within Psalm 66:7 emphasizes that God's rule is not just a display of raw power but also involves a righteous judgment against defiance and arrogance. The term "rebellious" highlights a wilful turning away from God's ways. This verse perfectly fuses God's cosmic authority with His moral governance. The collective scope, addressing "nations," speaks to a divine expectation for societal and political alignment with His will, not merely individual piety. It also reinforces the distinctiveness of biblical monotheism against the common ancient Near Eastern belief in territorial gods or a pantheon that could be manipulated; Yahweh’s rule is absolute and inescapable for all peoples.
Psalm 66 7 Commentary
Psalm 66:7 is a profound declaration of God's active and universal sovereignty. It firmly establishes that God's rule is eternal and enforced by His unmatchable divine power, a power that contrasts sharply with the fleeting and fragile might of human empires. His omnipresent "eyes" signify not merely observation, but also purposeful vigilance—a watchful care for His people and a discerning readiness for judgment upon those who oppose Him. The concluding imperative, "let not the rebellious exalt themselves," functions as both a confident proclamation and a direct warning. It asserts that human pride and defiance against God's established order are ultimately futile and destined for failure. This verse offers comfort to believers, knowing they serve a God who is completely in control of all nations and circumstances, and a stern warning to all who might foolishly attempt to elevate themselves against His eternal will. For instance, like Pharaoh's arrogance was met with divine might, so too any nation or leader's defiance will be met with God's humbling power.