He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
Psalm 66:7 stands among Psalms 46 to 72 that set forth human frailty, weakness, and utter need together with God's great strength, love, and mercy. It belongs to a joyful song of prayer and praise that honors God's name and glorifies His praise. That song marvels at His awesome works toward men, before whom enemies submit through greatness of power, and tells how God proves and tries His people as silver is tried.
The verse means that God rules by His power forever and His eyes watch the nations. His sovereignty extends over every government, including heathen kingdoms, despite the conquests of kings and the usurpations of tyrants. Even when world affairs are unsettled by the ambitions of smaller powers and the jealousy and covetousness of great powers, He sees all that happens and overrules it for the progress of His work and the good of His trusting children.
Its warning not to exalt self applies to rulers, as shown when Nebuchadnezzar was humbled to learn that the Most High rules human kingdoms and gives them to whomever He will. As a boy, Jesus sang it on the pilgrim road to Jerusalem while climbing the mountainside by Beeroth alone in the evening in holy meditation. Pausing to lift a wounded bird and to drink from a spring, He then broke into song with clasped hands, earnest eyes raised heavenward, and soft voice full of feeling.
The verse supplies remembered truth that proves a real keeping power in times of trouble. Therefore whatever the political outcome, God's people can trust Him and not be afraid.
Psalm 66:7 stands among Psalms 46 to 72 that set forth human frailty, weakness, and utter need together with God's great strength, love, and mercy. It belongs to a joyful song of prayer and praise that honors God's name and glorifies His praise. That song marvels at His awesome works toward men, before whom enemies submit through greatness of power, and tells how God proves and tries His people as silver is tried.
The verse means that God rules by His power forever and His eyes watch the nations. His sovereignty extends over every government, including heathen kingdoms, despite the conquests of kings and the usurpations of tyrants. Even when world affairs are unsettled by the ambitions of smaller powers and the jealousy and covetousness of great powers, He sees all that happens and overrules it for the progress of His work and the good of His trusting children.
Its warning not to exalt self applies to rulers, as shown when Nebuchadnezzar was humbled to learn that the Most High rules human kingdoms and gives them to whomever He will. As a boy, Jesus sang it on the pilgrim road to Jerusalem while climbing the mountainside by Beeroth alone in the evening in holy meditation. Pausing to lift a wounded bird and to drink from a spring, He then broke into song with clasped hands, earnest eyes raised heavenward, and soft voice full of feeling.
The verse supplies remembered truth that proves a real keeping power in times of trouble. Therefore whatever the political outcome, God's people can trust Him and not be afraid.