What does Psalm 66:1 mean?

The psalmist calls on the whole world, including both Israel and the Gentile nations, to worship the Lord.

God called Israel His chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). In the Old Testament, phrases such as "the nations" or other references to Gentiles are often symbolic of unbelief. However, this does not mean that God had no love for cultures outside of Israel. In fact, God chose Israel to be His witness to the Gentiles (Isaiah 43:10).

Further, the Lord chose Israel to be the nation through which salvation would come. Jesus provided salvation by shedding His blood on the cross; He was born of the tribe of Judah and descended from Israel's beloved King David. John 4:22 says, "salvation is from the Jews." John 3:16 makes it clear that the offer of salvation is not limited to the Jews; it extends to the whole world. God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that "whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

The good news of salvation provides ample reason for all the earth to shout joyfully to God!

The title of the psalm refers to a "choirmaster," or "chief musician." This seems to have been the person who led group worship, such as near the temple.