Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
Psalm 66:16
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
A Testimony
The 16th verse is a fitting text, which captures the essence of this Psalm of worship. The Psalmist is keen and enthusiastic in his wish to bear witness to what God has done for him. Hence the Psalm is testimony. The practice of testifying or confessing our faith publicly is biblical. As such it is a tool used by God in encouraging Christians and winning the hearts of the unconverted. Therefore, this Psalm ought to encourage us in the sharing of our faith with others.
Continuity
This is a continuity Psalm in that the content flows from the 65th. On that account we must deduce that David was the author, even though the title of the 66th does not name him; BUT the 65th certainly does.
This is a continuity Psalm because in the 65th God is waiting in Zion for His people to worship Him. Now in the 66th the worship is being offered,the praises are ascending and prayers are ascending. As David sings and supplicates he bears witness to what God has done for his soul.
1: THE EXHORTATION
Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: (V1)
praising and witnessing
The phrase “make a joyful noise” means to shout. This Psalm of worship begins with great enthusiasm. The theme of witnessing is prevalent, nevertheless, even in this exhortation David’s words are directed to all lands. He wants the Gentile world in their heathendom to know how real and how wonderful the God of Israel is.
As we come to God’s House for public worship we are confessing Christ. Our neighbours witness the regular pattern, the drivers who pass on a Sabbath recognise what we are doing, those who tune in on the live stream hear our voices and see what we are doing. In so doing we are bearing witness to God and his role in our lives. By our actions we are appealing to the lost. Those who attend Church, who are not saved must hear the exhortation through the worship. The more meaningful we are in our souls and the more sincere we are in our worship, our singing and our attendance to the Word – the greater the message we convey.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Can you remember someone’s life and commitment to Christ being a challenge to you; so challenging your life was changed?
2: THE REVERENCE
Sing forth the honour of his name:
make his praise glorious.
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!
through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
All the earth shall worship thee,
and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. (V2-4)
the spirit of submission
The world will never yield to God if His people do not reverence Him. Our Psalms and hymns are intended to teach us that the one whom we worship is all powerful, righteous and glorious and we, undeserving sinners, are in His presence. These truths must sink in.
3: THE GRATITUDE
Come and see the works of God:
he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land:
they went through the flood on foot:
there did we rejoice in him.
He ruleth by his power for ever;
his eyes behold the nations:
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
O bless our God, ye people,
and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
Which holdeth our soul in life,
and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
For thou, O God, hast proved us:
thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Thou broughtest us into the net;
thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water:
but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. (V5-12)
Gratitude is a necessary reflection as we worship.
David encourages a backward look to God’s doings in the past, primarily the passage through the Red Sea. In our worship we should remember all that God has done with thanksgiving.
In looking backward David is also grateful for the harsh lessons that God has providentially permitted. Through Fire and Water the people were led until the entered a wealthy place. Like the silver they entered the furnace, except this was a furnace of providence which purified the hearts of God’s people.
ENCOURAGEMENTs in trials
This is such an encouragement. The one whom we serve takes an intense interest in every aspect of life and He makes no mistakes. At times we may be suffering the fire but even then we can be grateful because He is bringing us into a better place.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
do you want to share in the comments below a trial which became a blessing IN YOUR LIFE?
A SOUL IN GOD’S HANDS
At the heart of this section of the Psalm are the words “which holdeth our soul in life” – As Paul later wrote; we are hid with Christ in God.
3: THE CONSECRATION
I will go into thy house with burnt offerings:
I will pay thee my vows,
Which my lips have uttered,
and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings,
with the incense of rams;
I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. (V13-15)
With such a spirit of devotion in His spirit David approaches the priest with his offerings. He does more than bring animals to be slain. He is offering himself in obedience to God, vowing to serve Him with all His heart.
Our worship has no meaning If there is not consecration and commitment.
4: THE TESTIMONY
Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried unto him with my mouth,
and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
the Lord will not hear me:
But verily God hath heard me;
he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer,
nor his mercy from me. (V16-20)
All of this singing and praying and dedicating comes together at the close when David calls on everyone to hear what God has done for his soul.
There are two aspects in this testimony which must be vitally understood.
A: humbled by grace
David was deeply aware of the grace of God. The contrast between v18 & 19 is deeply moving. Bearing in mind that the word regard means to know or perceive – David knew that God could not hear his prayer. How could this holy God hear a poor sinner so deeply aware of his impoverished spirituality? Yet in v19 he declares “But God hath heard me”. There is only one reason why God could ever hear the cry of a sinner – grace! If our testimony does not magnify the grace of God then it is not a testimony “I am only a sinner saved by grace”.
This runs contrary to the interpretation often portrayed – that we must be holy and without sin or God won’t listen. How often have we not heard the allegation “God can’t bless that man or than woman” or “God can’t bless that church”? Often, I fear these words arise from a self righteous mentality which says “I am better than him” or “we are more faithful” – therefore, we deserve blessing. None of us deserve blessing, none deserves answers to prayer. But thank God – He blesses sinners or we would not be Christian.
grace and repentance
Where there is saving grace, however, there is true confession and repentance and a turning to Him. Grace never excuses or gives a license to sin. One of the great blessings of His goodness is repentance.
There is nothing more humbling and life changing than the power of grace.
B: all glory to god
Also David closes by bringing glory to God – He blesses the one who has been so merciful and kind.
For whatever our triumphs may be, they are always by the grace of God and we must always say, ‘To God alone be glory‘
James Montgomery Boice, Psalm 66, A Praise Psalm of Thanksgiving
Clogher Valley Free Presbyterian Church 