12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy
12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
12 Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place.
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
12 Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance.
23 I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, 'Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.' And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on."
23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
23 and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Bow down, that we may pass over'; and you have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to pass over."
23 I've passed it over to your abusers to drink, those who ordered you, 'Down on the ground so we can walk all over you!' And you had to do it. Flat on the ground, you were the dirt under their feet."
23 But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, Who have said to you, 'Lie down, that we may walk over you.' And you have laid your body like the ground, And as the street, for those who walk over."
23 Instead, I will hand that cup to your tormentors, those who said, 'We will trample you into the dust and walk on your backs.'"
(Read Isaiah 51:17-23)
God calls upon his people to mind the things that belong to their everlasting peace. Jerusalem had provoked God, and was made to taste the bitter fruits. Those who should have been her comforters, were their own tormentors. They have no patience by which to keep possesion of their own souls, nor any confidence in God's promise, by which to keep possession of its comfort. Thou art drunken, not as formerly, with the intoxicating cup of Babylon's idolatries, but with the cup of affliction. Know, then, the cause of God's people may for a time seem as lost, but God will protect it, by convincing the conscience, or confounding the projects, of those that strive against it. The oppressors required souls to be subjected to them, that every man should believe and worship as they would have them. But all they could gain by violence was, that people were brought to outward hypocritical conformity, for consciences cannot be forced.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 66:12
Commentary on Psalm 66:8-12
(Read Psalm 66:8-12)
The Lord not only preserves our temporal life, but maintains the spiritual life which he has given to believers. By afflictions we are proved, as silver in the fire. The troubles of the church will certainly end well. Through various conflicts and troubles, the slave of Satan escapes from his yoke, and obtains joy and peace in believing: through much tribulation the believer must enter into the kingdom of God.