The word many critics of Scripture often use is “triumphalism.” It’s the belief that a particular doctrine, religion, culture, or social system is superior to and will outlast all others.”

Yet the Bible presents a God, the only True God, Who is TRIUMPHANT indeed!

The day Jesus preached of Himself, “I AM THE TRUTH,” settled all the “Who is right” questions forever! And our Lord said exactly that in John 14:6.

Now let’s look at today’s Verse, Psalm 66:7. Talk about triumphalism!

“He (God) ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.” Again, Psalm 66:7, King James Version.

He rules forever!

He controls (lords over) all nations!

And He will tolerate no rebellion!

Yes, He is Triumphant!

The verb “ruleth” is spelled “mashal” in Hebrew. It means “to reign, to govern, to have dominion” over someone or something. It’s the same “stem” from which the Old Testament word “proverb” derives! Little wise sayings that are “to rule” our lives!

But something authenticates, solidifies God’s Reign, that being His “power.” That first clause again: “He ruleth by his POWER for ever ….” Here the noun “geburah” is employed, “strength, force, might,” being related to words like “champion, conqueror, chief, valiant.”

In our Verse God’s eyes “behold” all the nations, too! Using a “vision” word that is unusual, being found only 37 times in all the Bible. “Tzsaphah” literally means “to spy!” It’s the “watchman” verb of the Old Testament, “to carefully watch, to patrol!” God does His Own “police” work, it seems!

And the noun “nations” simply means “gentiles.” Almost always used of non-Jews. God is not only Lord over Israel, He is an international Sovereign too!

Then Psalm 66:7 closes with a “warning.” Word for word: “Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.”

The adjective “rebellious” translates “sarar,” expressed as “stubborn, backsliders, and revolters” in the Old Testament. This, the whole idea of “rebellion,” reminds me of 1st Samuel 15:23. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Wow!

To “exalt” means (“rum” in Hebrew) to “rise up, to make lofty, to extol.” God delights in humility. But He equally despises pride! Both James and Peter say this. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Then the Verse closes with a single word, “Selah.” Part of its meaning implies: “Stop and think about what’s just been said! Ponder it!”

What a verse!

Yes, we are on the winning side! Because our great God … “He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.”

Amen.

Dr. Mike Bagwell