Verse 1
"To the choirmaster. A song. A psalm. Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth"
"To the choirmaster" is a direction for the Temple music leader; "a song, a psalm" is a piece meant to be sung with instruments. Then comes the great call: every nation and every creature is invited to lift a shout of joy to God.
Verse 2
"Sing the glory of His name; give Him glorious praise"
Sing and honor the glory of God's name, and make the praise itself worthy of His greatness. Praise is not only words, but honor given to God with a whole heart.
Verse 3
"Say to God, How awesome are Your deeds; through the greatness of Your power Your enemies come cringing to You"
Turn to Him and declare how full of wonder and majesty His works are. By the greatness of His power, even His enemies submit and cower before Him.
Verse 4
"All the earth worships You and sings praises to You; they sing praises to Your name. Selah"
Every nation bows down before You and bursts into song in Your honor. "Selah" is a word of pause and emphasis, as if to say: stop and consider this.
Verse 5
"Come and see what God has done; He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man"
A call to everyone to come and look at the great works He has accomplished — lofty and awe-inspiring in all His doing toward mankind, plain for all to see.
Verse 6
"He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in Him"
A reminder of the splitting of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan on dry ground. In those moments of salvation we rejoiced, and rejoice in Him still — the memory of the miracles becomes living joy now.
Verse 7
"Who rules by His might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah"
God reigns by His power for all time, and His eyes watch over all peoples. Let the defiant not lift up their heads, for nothing is hidden from His eyes. "Selah" — pause and emphasis.
Psalm 66, Part 1, teaches that true praise does not stay within the heart — it bursts outward and calls all the earth to join in. The same God whose might was seen at the sea and the river, who rules the world and watches all nations, is the One to whom the shout of joy is raised. When a person sees His great deeds, the praise comes of itself — not out of duty, but out of wonder and gratitude.