Last week we looked at Psalm 63, which is a psalm of praise but also contains reflection on the psalmist’s relationship with God. This week’s psalm, Psalm 66, is one of pure praise. Some scholars believe that this psalm was originally divided into two parts. The first part, verses 1-12, is a hymn, which can itself be divided into two separate hymns - first celebrating what God has done and then praising Him as a community. The second part, verses 13-20, is more of an individual thanksgiving psalm.
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.’ Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him” (Psalm 66:1-7).
This first section of the psalm talks all about what God has done for the universe as a whole and for mankind. It’s mostly somewhat generic rather than talking about specific individual deeds, but it does mentions the specific act of turning the sea into dry land and passing through the waters on foot. God did that in Exodus 14, when the people of Israel were fleeing from Egypt, which was a pivotal time in that nation’s history. Of the many miracles that God has done, I can imagine that was one of the most impressive for those present to experience!
What have you seen God do in your life that is miraculous? Maybe it’s nothing like parting a sea so you could cross on dry land, but perhaps God has worked a great healing in your life, or you’ve narrowly avoided a tragic accident. Has God overpowered an enemy in your life? Have you experienced God’s Holy Spirit help you resist a strong temptation?
In whatever circumstances we’re going through, we know that God always deserves our praise! He deserves praise from all of the earth that He created, especially from us as humans.
“Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance” (Psalm 66:8-12)
This section is a community praising God for what He has done in their lives and for their nation. They see now that difficult things they went through were for their good and so they could experience God’s provision in their lives. The purpose of trials is not to discourage people, but to help us grow through them and experience God in new ways.
So often we ask for God’s help when we’re going through a difficult time, but do we remember to praise Him for it afterwards? Do we look back and realize how much that difficulty helped us grow, to refine us like silver? Do we see God’s abundant provision even more, after having gone through a hard time when we had to do with less?
“I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (Psalm 66:13-20)
This last portion of the psalm helps us to internalize this on an individual level. The pronouns change from “us” and “our” to “my” and “I.” God worked in the life of the nation of Israel, but each individual Israelite still needed to praise Him individually in order for the nation as a whole to praise God.
We see assurance here that God listens to our prayers. Whether we’re in the midst of a trial and crying out to God in lament or if we’re on the other side looking back and praising Him, we know God hears us. He will never withhold His love from us, and we should praise Him constantly for that! We don’t deserve to be loved by God, but He loves us anyway, through all of the experiences of our lives.
How are you showing God praise in your life today?
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