Psalms

Chapter 66

Make a Joyful Noise

This psalm summons all the earth to shout to God because his deeds are awesome, his rule is enduring, and his works in history reveal his power and demand praise. It recalls God's ancient deliverance, then blesses him for preserving and refining his people through severe testing that nevertheless ended in spacious relief. The final movement becomes personal as the singer enters God's house with vows, recounts his answered prayer, and blesses the God who has not rejected either his prayer or his steadfast love.

Psalm 66 binds together public praise, communal memory, affliction, sacrifice, and personal testimony into one sustained act of worship. It teaches that God's people praise him not only for mighty historical wonders but also for the refining trials through which he preserves them and for the intimate prayers he hears from sincere hearts.

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Psalms 66

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vv. 1-20

Make a Joyful Noise

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F¹or the choirmaster. A song. A Psalm. ²Sing the glory of His name; ³Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! ⁴All the earth bows down to You; ⁵Come and see the works of God; ⁶He turned the sea into dry land; ⁷He rules forever by His power;

⁸Bless our God, O peoples; ⁹He preserves our lives ¹⁰For You, O God, have tested us; ¹¹You led us into the net; ¹²You let men ride over our heads;

¹³I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; ¹⁴the vows that my lips promised ¹⁵I will offer You fatlings as burnt offerings, ¹⁶Come and listen, all you who fear God, ¹⁷I cried out to Him with my mouth ¹⁸If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, ¹⁹But God has surely heard; ²⁰Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer

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01vv. 1-20Make a Joyful NoiseThe psalm begins with a universal call for the earth to glorify God whose awesome works subdue his enemies and whose rule endures over the nations. It then invites the peoples to bless God for preserving life through a season of severe testing that ended in abundance. The closing section turns to one worshiper who fulfills vows in God's house, invites the God-fearing to hear his testimony, and blesses the Lord for listening to prayer and keeping steadfast love.