Psalm 66:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs;

NIV: You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

NASB: You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon us.

CSB: You lured us into a trap; you placed burdens on our backs.

NLT: You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs.

KJV: Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

NKJV: You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.

The psalmist recalls Israel's past afflictions. These difficulties felt as if God had tangled them in a hunter's net and dropped a massive weight onto them. The imagery is clear: the people of Israel sometimes felt there was no way to escape their trials and they were greatly burdened by them. However, the Lord was disciplining them, so they would stop following worldly things and follow Him, instead (Jeremiah 32:33; Leviticus 26:21). In the end, the people came to where God intended them to be (Psalm 66:12).

Similarly, a born-again Christian faces discipline. The Father in heaven disciplines His erring children, in love, for their own good (Hebrews 12:5–9). Sin and waywardness often lead to serious consequences (Proverbs 8:35–36). Yet in His love, God often uses those consequences to turn a sinning believer away from something even worse. When that happens, the believer may sympathize with the prodigal son who left home, wasted his money on pleasure, only to wind up destitute. Those dire circumstances inspired a repentant heart and return home to his father (Luke 15:11–24).

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.