A study of Psalm 66
This Psalm is composed of two independent but related units. The first unit is actually a hymn – vv.1-12, which may be further divided into two separate hymns. The second unit contains an additional thanksgiving psalm – vv.13-20
It is from this second unit (vv. 13-20) that we will draw most of our attention. However, good hermeneutics demands that we discover the meaning of the preceding text and context. The psalmist writes from the general theme of Thanksgiving for deliverance. All the earth is invited to praise God for the marvels performed for His people (Ps 66:1-4); the marvels, especially His turning the sea into dry land (Ps 66:5-7); is the ground of praise, in that He brought His people into a wealthy place.
God is to be praised by all his creation. He is King and Majesty … he is Lord and God … he is Savior and Master … he is Deliverer and Host of the army. Anything that was is because He is … anything that is – is because of his power … anything that will be is only because of his mercy!
The earth … all the earth … all the lands … is invited and strongly encouraged to recognize and give God the praise he deserves. They are encouraged to Make a joyful noise … Sing forth the honor of his name … Make his praise glorious … Say unto God how awesome … The are invited to Submit to him one way or another!
“All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing unto thy name.”
This is and invitation …You see, he is watching and waiting … he is waiting for “all the lands” to praise him. “His eyes behold the nations” God is watching! He invites them to “Come and see the works of God”
His magnificent works are all around us …
His creative genius shines before us …
His marvelous power is evident among us …
“All the lands” need to open their eyes and realize it only by God’s hand that we move and breath and have our existence.
Then the psalmist shifts from the all the lands to all God’s people (v.8) “O bless our God, ye people” that’s the people of God! The community of believers … God’s delivered ones! They are now invited to give praise to his name … “make the voice of his praise to be heard”
Now was not the time to be silent… now was not the time to sit back and let others speak … now it was their turn to make a joyful noise for God. You see they had a testimony …
God secured them (v.9)
Ps 66:9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. NIV
We were tried like silver … he preserved us
We were captured in the “net” … he preserved us
We had heavy burdens on our backs … he preserved us
He caused evil men to ride us
We went through the “fire and water”
Isa 43:2
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
KJV
The Apostle Paul declares in 2 Cor 4:8-9
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
KJV
God preserved them and brought them through to a wealthy place i.e. a place of “abundance” … isn’t God good!
Now the psalmist gets personal … we all should get personal with regard to what God has done for us. Yes the world needs to recognize him … the community of believers (the church) needs to recognize him …
but YOU must make it personal.
What will you do when he brings you through?
There are a series of “I WILL’s” in the text that will help you do what you need to do when He brings you through.
- I Will Go into the house… v. 13a … Movement! (Also “with” … what will you bring with you when you come … your attitude, etc)
- I Will Pay thee my vows … v.13b …Commitment! (Lord if you … I will) (Also today the promises and works you commit to doing should be kept … Jesus kept his promises)
- I Will Offer … v.15a … Sacrifice! (Time, Talent, Tithes)
- I Will Declare … v.16 … Tell Somebody! What has God done for you?
We’ve got to open our mouths and declare the goodness of God
It is God that has been good to you
It is God that brought you from a mighty long way
It is God who puts clothes on your back
It is God who puts food on your table
It is God who brought your child back safely
It is God who has kept your marriage together all these years
It is God who is keeping you sane after losing your loved ones
Don’t you know it is God:
- who keeps your heart beating 100,000 times a day
- who puts the sweet taste at the tip of your tongue
- who placed the 31 pairs of spinal nerves that originate from the spinal cord to provide two-way communication
- who placed that three pound piece of “jelly” that we call a brain where it is and causes it to control every thing we do with or without thinking
One more thing here ...
The psalmist lets us know the process it took and for him to Go, Pay, Offer, Declare
v.17-20
I cried out to him! V.17aI committed my praise to him! V.17bI declared my innocence to him! V.18I praise him because he surely listened to me! Vv.19-20
Cry ... Commit ... Declare ... Praise!
Note: (In the above photo I was in extreme pain due to two herniated discs in my back ... we held a "Stop the Violence Rally" in Hopewell and I gave an anti-violence speech. When I recovered you couldn't shut me up about how God brought me through with no surgery!!)
Now you've got the CLUE!
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