Psalms 66:10 - Exposition

For thou, O God, hast proved us. The calamity bad been sent as a trial, to prove and purify (comp. Psalms 7:9 ; Psalms 11:5 ). Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried (comp. Psalms 12:6 ; Proverbs 17:3 ; Proverbs 25:4 ; Isaiah 1:22 , Isaiah 1:25 ; Isaiah 48:10 ; Zechariah 13:9 ; Malachi 3:3 ). Silver, according to ancient methods, required a prolonged process of refining before it could be pronounced pure. The calamity under which Israel had suffered had been of long duration.