Psalm 66:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.

NIV: For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

NASB: For You have put us to the test, God; You have refined us as silver is refined.

CSB: For you, God, tested us; you refined us as silver is refined.

NLT: You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.

KJV: For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

NKJV: For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.

God chose Israel as His people (Deuteronomy 14:2). However, the nation defied Him not long after He'd rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Numbers 14:1–4). So, God sent the people into a forty-year wandering through the wilderness (Numbers 14:27–33). The psalmist refers to this using the Hebrew word tsâraph, referring to the process of melting precious metals to remove impurities. Israel's trials in the wilderness were meant to refine them in the same way silver is purified with fire (Psalm 66:12).

Further refining of Israel awaits during the end times. Malachi 3:3 predicts, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD." The purpose of God's testing is not to punish. Rather, He disciplines and proves the genuineness of His people's faith. Peter mentions the grief brought by hardships; he also points out that the purpose of the trials is to test the genuineness of faith. Tested, genuine faith will lead to blessings when Christ returns (1 Peter 1:6–7).

Psalm 66:10–12 gives context to the idea that God has protected and preserved His people, thereby giving everyone a reason to praise Him (Psalm 66:1). Here, the psalmist poetically recalls God testing His chosen people of Israel. This likely refers to Israel's journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt (Numbers 14:27–33). Despite hard times and many enemies, the Lord preserved the Israelites and brought them into Canaan.

This psalm appeals to the entire world to worship the Lord. His great works, such as giving Israel safe passage through the Red Sea, should be praised. Because God watches the world, no one should presume they can rebel without consequences. God tested Israel heavily but brought the nation to an abundant place. The psalmist declares that he will fulfill his vows and offer sacrifices, because God answered his prayer. Verses 1–9 speak to the nations of earth; verses 10–15 are spoken to God; verses 16–20 are addressed to the congregation.

This is a psalm of thanksgiving, but the occasion that prompted it is unknown. It may have been written after the Lord defeated the Assyrians (Isaiah 36—37). Another possibility is that it was recorded following the return from Babylonian captivity (Ezra 1:2–3).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.