Cringing Enemies and His Awesome Deeds in Psalm 66

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” Psalm 66:1-2

An authentic look at God causes us to erupt in shouts. We sing his name. We pour out glorious praise to him. He is our God, and he is above all Gods.

He does wondrous deeds. His power is so great his enemies “come cringing” to him. Cringing enemies. What a testimony of his power. The earth bows in humility and worships him and lifts their voices in song. Praises rise to his ears.

“Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.” Psalm 66:5

The psalmist invites the reader to come and see God’s awesome deeds. He explains that God has turned the sea into dry land. He is a redeemer, a rescuer. And God’s people walked on foot through the river. Israel rejoiced over him who rules by his might. His eyes keep watch on the nations. Read that again. Verse seven says his eyes keep watch on the nations. He is in heaven and I am on earth, says Solomon in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

The rebellious ones who do not fear God should be slow to exalt themselves. He is in heaven; we are on earth. Solomon continues and says we should let our words be few.

“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.” Psalm 66:8-9

Instead of exalting self, all peoples should exalt and bless his name. Public praise should be heard among the nations. He protects us eternally and our feet will not slip as he keeps our souls among the living.

He has tested and tried us in the same way silver is purified. He has captured us in his net and did not prevent crushing burdens. His people endure fire and water, and he brings them to a place where abundance is experienced.

“I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13-14

His deliverance inspires obedience. We enter his courts and keep our vows. God’s people keep promised sacrifices. People offer sacrifices, fattened animals such as rams, bulls, and goats, and they fulfill their promises.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.” Psalm 66:16-17

We fulfill our promises because he has been so good to our souls. We turn to him and cry out and he hears us. Therefore, his praise is in our mouths. Our praise erupts and all who fear God hear our testimony of his goodness.

This is my testimony in my grief. At my depths, he sustained my faith with his truth. In my deepest pain, he delivered kindness. Indeed, “I will tell what he has done for my soul.”

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:18-19

His kindness inspires repentance (Romans 2:4). We refuse to love iniquity; otherwise, he would not hear. But God does hear us and attends to our prayer.

God is faithful and does not remove his steadfast love. He does not reject our prayer. We rejoice in him and bless his name by faith knowing he does only good to his people.

“Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” Psalm 66:20