Psalms 66
A Call to All People to Praise GodIn this psalm, the writer calls on everyone in the whole world to praise God. This includes all nations and all people, because God is good to all and gives everyone reasons to praise Him. Praise is not just for Israel, but for all lands. The psalmist encourages joyful and public praise, so that everyone can see and hear how great God is. He also reminds us to look at God’s amazing works, which show His power, wisdom, and faithfulness. When we notice God’s works, our hearts will be filled with praise and awe.v. 1: The psalmist says, Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands . All people are called to praise God with gladness. This shows that God deserves praise from everyone, and praising Him should be done with joy and energy. v. 2: He continues, Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious . We should sing with delight and do our best to honor God’s name. Our praise should be sincere, open, and full of glory, making God’s greatness known to others. v. 3: The psalmist says, Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee . God’s works are amazing and sometimes even frightening because of His great power. Even God’s enemies will have to bow before Him, even if it is not from their hearts (Exodus 15:11 a). v. 4: He looks to the future, All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name . The psalmist believes that one day, people from every nation will worship God and sing praises to Him (Revelation 14:6-7 b). v. 5: He invites us, Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men . Everyone should look at God’s mighty works. When we really pay attention, we will be amazed by His wisdom and power. v. 6: The psalmist remembers, He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him . He points to how God helped Israel cross the Red Sea and the Jordan River. These miracles brought joy and faith to God’s people (Exodus 15:14-15 c). v. 7: Finally, He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves . God is always in control, watching over every nation. No one who rebels against God can succeed. His rule is strong and everlasting, so everyone should be humble before Him. The Saints Exhorted to Praise GodThe psalmist calls all of God’s people to praise Him openly and joyfully. Although everyone should praise the Lord, Israel is especially called to do so, because God has made a covenant with them and carefully watches over them. The psalmist reminds the people that praises should come from those who know God’s special care. He encourages them to remember both the common protection God gives and the special deliverance He provides in times of trouble.v. 8: The psalmist urges everyone to make the voice of his praise to be heard . God’s people, who are His special chosen ones, should not be silent but should let others hear their thanks and praise. v. 9: God deserves our praise because He holdeth our soul in life . It is God’s constant care that keeps our life and soul together. He gives us new strength and comfort when we are weak. God also keeps us safe from dangers we do not even see. It is thanks to Him that we have not fallen into disaster, for He will keep the feet of his saints. v. 10: The psalmist explains that God sometimes allows hard times to test His people: Thou, O God, hast proved us, and tried us . Like silver is tested in fire, God uses challenges to make our faith stronger and to show the world that our faith is genuine. These trials help us grow in holiness (Hebrews 12:10 d). v. 11–12: The psalmist remembers times of deep trouble: Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins . They felt trapped and burdened, like being caught in a net or pressed down by a heavy load. They went through many dangers, like fire and water (Psalm 66:12 e). Sometimes, cruel people ruled over them, treating them like slaves and insulting them (Isaiah 51:23 f). But even in these hard times, the people recognized that God was in control, allowing these things for a purpose. God may allow oppression, but He never loses control (Psalm 124:2–4 g). Even though the troubles were great, God brought His people safely through them. We went through fire and through water , but we did not perish. In the end, God led them out into a wealthy place, a place of blessing and abundance. God allows His people to experience hard times so that, when He saves them, their joy and comfort are greater, and their faith is stronger (Isaiah 43:1 h). David Resolves to Praise God; David Declaring What God Has Done for His SoulAfter urging everyone to praise the Lord, the psalmist now promises to praise God himself. He is determined to worship God with sincere devotion, both by offering sacrifices and by sharing his personal story of God’s goodness. The psalmist wants other believers to hear and learn from what God has done for him, especially the blessings he received in his soul.v. 13–15: David promises to worship God with costly sacrifices. He says, I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings (Psalm 66:13 i). He wants to give the very best, bringing burnt sacrifices of fat animals, not the weak or sick ones. David knows that God deserves the best we have. He will also bring bullocks and goats, and include incense, which represents prayers rising up to God. David is willing to give generously and offer what costs him something, not just what is easy. He also promises to keep the vows he made during times of trouble. When we ask for God’s help and make promises, we should remember to keep those promises after God saves us (Psalm 66:14 j). It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not keep it. – – v. 16: David invites everyone who fears God to listen to his story: Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul . He wants believers to join him in giving thanks to God. By sharing what God has done, he hopes others will be encouraged and strengthened in their faith (Psalm 34:2; Psalm 119:74 k). David shares these things not to brag, but to honor God and help others trust Him more. God’s people should talk to each other about the good things God has done, especially about spiritual blessings. v. 17: David says that God gave him a heart to pray: I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue . God helped him to pray and praise at the same time. Being able to pray is a gift from God. When we pray, we also honor God, because we seek His help and praise His name, even before we see the answer. v. 18: David explains that sin in the heart can block our prayers: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me . If someone loves sin or refuses to give it up, God will not accept their prayers. Secret sins, even if only in the heart, will make our prayers empty and powerless. God wants us to be honest and to turn away from sin when we pray (Matthew 5:27–28 l). v. 19: But David is happy because God has answered his prayers: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer . Even though David knows he is not perfect, God was kind and listened to him. This shows how good God is to those who seek Him. v. 20: David ends by praising God: Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me (Psalm 66:20 m). He knows that it is only because of God’s mercy, not his own goodness, that his prayers were answered. Every answer to prayer should make us thankful. God’s mercy is the true reason we have hope and joy.
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