Have you ever experienced a moment when your heart swelled with gratitude and awe at the beauty of the world around you?
Perhaps you’ve felt an overwhelming desire to sing praises to the Creator for His marvelous works. In Psalm 66, we find precisely this sentiment—an outpouring of joy and praise to the Lord.
(Summarized and continued after the scripture)
Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds and for His Answer to Prayer.
For the choir director. A Song. A Psalm.
1Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
2Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.
4“All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.”
5Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
6He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!
7He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
8Bless our God, O peoples,
And sound His praise abroad,
9Who keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.
10For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
11You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.
12You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.
13I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,
14Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
15I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,
With the smoke of rams;
I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats.
16Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
18If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
19But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.
Summary Key Points:
- The Call to Praise: The psalmist begins by calling all the earth to shout with joy to God, sing the glory of His name, and make His praise glorious. This passionate call to praise sets the tone for the entire psalm. It reminds us that our worship should be marked by exuberance and a desire to glorify God.
- Reflecting on God’s Works: The psalmist encourages us to come and see the works of God. He highlights how God’s creation, from the seas to the mountains, demonstrates His power and sovereignty. It reminds us of the majesty of the natural world and how it reflects the greatness of its Creator.
- The Redemption of Israel: The psalmist recalls God’s faithfulness in delivering Israel from bondage and leading them through trials. This part of the psalm reminds us of God’s enduring love and how He rescues His people from their troubles.
- A Heart of Gratitude: The psalmist expresses a heart of gratitude by declaring, “Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer.” It serves as a reminder that our prayers are heard by a loving God, and we should always approach Him with thanksgiving.
Call to Action: As we read and reflect on Psalm 66, let us be inspired to praise God joyfully. Take a moment to consider the wondrous works of God in your life and in the world around you.
Join in with the psalmist’s call to worship and offer your heartfelt praises to the Creator. Whether through song, prayer, or a simple moment of gratitude, let your heart overflow with thanksgiving for God’s marvelous deeds.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below and discuss with friends and family how you can collectively offer praises to the Lord.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.