Psalm 66
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”
- “Shout… “sing… say” biblical worship is loud and passionate!
- “Your enemies cringe before you” God has enemies, and he’s not having them over for tea!
- “All the earth bows” Big idea: The works of God are to be displayed through in such a way that even the wicked acknowledge it.
- God’s “glory” and “power” are displayed in what He does in, and through and for His people (cf. Mat. 5:13-16)!
5 Come and see what God has done,
his awesome deeds for mankind!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
- “Come and see what God has done” God’s works are not merely and esoteric. From creation and onward, God’s works are powerful and tangible- you can see them!
- “He turned the sea into dry land” recounts Israel’s exodus out of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:21-15:8). Christians likewise are called to remember Christ’s death for our sins (Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25).
- “Let not the rebellious rise up” God’s deliverance of His people usually involves a foil. Some stubborn fool will oppress God’s people for a time until He comes and makes an example of them (i.e. Haman, Pharaoh, Herod).
8 Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
- “He has preserved our lives” Through all the trials, we are still here! God has kept us!
- “For you, God, tested us” Recounts how God not only delivered them, but how He disciplined them. God purposed affliction and suffering for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 4:19; Heb. 5:8).
- “A place of abundance” Hebrew, revayah – “satisfaction.” God satisfies our greatest desires and longings!
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
- “Burnt offerings… fat animals” We give to God with gratitude out of abundance He has provided!
- New covenant sacrifices and offerings include the praise of our lips (Heb. 13:15), those we lead to Christ (Rom. 15:16), our financial gifts (2 Cor. 8:19), and our very selves (Rom. 12:1).
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
- “Let me tell you” God has given us a testimony so we can encourage other saints (1:3-11)!