PSALM 66. For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

Theme: God answers prayer. Individually, and as a body of believers, we should praise and worship God.

Author: Anonymous, written after a great victory in battle

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.” 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. 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. 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. 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!

Study Notes:

66:5-7 The writer was remembering the famous story about God's rescue of the Israelites by parting the Red Sea. God saved the Israelites then, and he continues to save his people today.

66:10-12 Just as fire refines silver in the smelting process, trials refine our character. They bring us a new and deeper wisdom, helping us discern truth from falsehood and givinb us the discipline to do what we know is right. Above all, these trials help us to realize that life is a gift from God to be cherished, not a right to be taken for granted.

66::13-15 People sometimes make bargains with God, saying, "If you heal me (or get me out of this mess), I'll obey you for the rest of my life.". However, soon after they recover, the vow is forgotten and the old lifestyle is resumed. This writer made a promise to God, but he remembered the promise and was prepared to carry it out. [I highlighted this next sentence.]. God always keeps his promises and wants us to follow his example.

66:18 Our confession of sin must be continual because we continue to do wrong. But true confession requires us to listen to God and to want to stop doing what is wrong. David confessed his sin and prayed, "Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins. (19:12, 13). When we refuse to repent or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. We may not be able to remember every sin we have ever committed, but our attitude should be one of confession and obedience.

I know personally about answered prayer. After seeing prayer answered for me, I started looking for God's work, and I imagined the prayers that were being answered in it. When I was in my deepest despair, I actually felt the prayers of others for me. I can attest to the power. When answers are given, we cannot help but worship and praise God. I mean, think about it. God hears prayers and petitions constantly and forever from everywhere. He sorts them all and sets things in motion, creating solutions as needed, enabling and empowering those He chooses to work through. Some don't even know they are participating in God's work to answer prayers! Then, for those that recognize it, you see the answered prayers and you praise God.

Lord, thank you for your work to answer prayers about bringing out Truth, about healing stuff from Covid deceptions and harm, about those stuck in Afghanistan, and about removing corruption from the places where it has infected. Thank you for those you are working through. Bless them and their work. Help us to see that you are inwork on these, and give us patience and vision to see the answered prayers. Thank you for all the prayer warriors, Lord. I have seen the prayer boards on Q sites, and prayer groups here. Thank you for those. Lord we celebrate your work, your victory. In Jesus Christ's name I pray.

A Song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rQG5wHWGsM0

Have a blessed day.