What The Lord Can Do For You

The sixty-sixth Psalm is a song of David in which he expresses an attitude toward God that we all should possess. As the fresh air of spring that gives off a sweet fragrance of life so is this Psalm and David lifts high the majesty of God and His worthiness to be worshipped. We would do well to read this Psalm carefully and learn from it Romans 15:4.

David begins by exhorting all to worship God vs. 1-4 “All the earth will worship you and will sing to you; They will sing to your name.” In this section there is the recognition of His worthiness, the terribleness (awesomeness) of His power, His being supreme, He is to be feared and His deserving of worship. David also in this section calls upon people to, in the worship offered, joyfully shout to God, sing out the glory of His name, Make His praise glorious, and acknowledge God in all of His greatness. When was the last time we sat down and really considered how great God really is and considered His greatness, supremacy, power and His goodness? It should bring any honest soul to their knees in shame and need while lifting him to the highest plateau of praise and adoration for the greatness and holiness of our heavenly father.

David then invites all to come and see the works of God vs. 5-7. He is great (awesome) in His dealing with mankind. He reminds his readers of God’s deliverance of Israel in crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14). He may also include the crossing of Jordan (Joshua 3). He rules by His power forever. His eyes keep watch over the nations. How often do we sit and really consider how great God really is? Do we really believe that God is in control and not men?

David in verses 8-12 turns his attention to exalting God. He calls upon people to bless our God, making the voice of His praise heard. He offers the following reason for doing so: He holds our soul in life, (one translation has “keeps our soul among the living”). He suffers not our feet to be moved or slip. He has tried and proved them as silver. He blessed them and brought them into a wealthy (well-watered) place. It is easy to exalt God when the blessing flow, but what about when adversity comes? Consider James 1:2-3; Matthew 5:10- 12. Is this really our attitude when difficulties arise?

David turns his attention to adoration he gives to God vs. 13-15. He enters the Lord’s house with burnt offerings. He promises to fulfill the vows he made when in trouble. He vows to worship God with his best note the phrase “sacrifice of fatlings” or “sacrifices of fat animals” the best of the flock. What about the adoration we offer to God? Will we keep the vows or promises we make to God? Do we make them carelessly and thoughtlessly or are we genuine in the vows we make. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 admonishes one to keep the vows he made to God and not to fail to keep it. Have we considered lately the vows we have made to God in our life and to the fact of whether we have kept them or not?

David closes this Psalm with a declaration “Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what He hath done for my soul” vs. 16-20. God was extolled (exalted) in David’s prayer. He acknowledges the fact that God will not hear those who regard iniquity in their heart (compare 1Peter 3:12). God heard David’s prayer as he hears all the prayers of His faithful (1Peter 3:12). He then expresses gratitude for God not turning away David’s prayers nor withholding divine mercy from him. Are we guilty of regarding iniquity in our heart? Has sin separated us from God thus hindering our prayers (Isaiah 59:1-2)? Do we give God the glory and praise for not turning away our prayer and for not withholding his mercy from us? “To God be the glory, great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and open the life gate that all may go in. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, and great our rejoicing thro Jesus the Son: But purer and higher and greater will be, Our wonder, Our transport, when Jesus we see. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory great things He hath done.” I say Amen and Amen!

Bill Cantrell