Praise to God

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 66-67

 

Psalm 67:5

Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.

(NKJV)

 

In a world full of struggles and troubles, one can become bogged down in these struggles. For those who do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the only places to turn are the things of the world, government, work, sex, drugs, or alcohol, all of which will disappoint us. However, those with a personal relationship with God through Christ can remember what he has done and the promise of his second coming to set the record straight. This makes it possible to offer praise to God.

 

In Psalm 66, the Psalmist begins by telling the people to make a joyful shout to God, singing out the honor of His name (Psalm 66:1-2). The praise offered is praise for the Lord’s awesome works done by the greatness of His power that causes His enemies to submit to Him (Psalm 66:3). This will lead to the whole earth praising and worshipping the Lord (Psalm 66:4). The psalmist then invites the people to remember the awesome works of God to the sons of men, reminding them of what He did at the Red Sea (Psalm 66:5-6). God rules by His power forever with his eyes observing the nations, with the psalmist asking God not to let the rebellious exalt themselves (Psalm 66:7).

 

The psalmist continues by telling the people to bless their God and to let His praises be heard because it is He who keeps their souls among the living and does not let their feet be moved (Psalm 66:8-9). God has tested His people, bringing them through many afflictions, but He has brought them out to rich fulfillment (Psalm 66:10-12). Therefore, the psalmist will go into the House of the Lord with burnt offerings, paying his vows to the Lord (Psalm 66:13-14). His offerings will be fat animals, with the sweet aroma of rams, along with bulls and goats (Psalm 66:15).

 

The psalmist then invites all who fear the Lord to declare what He has done for their souls (Psalm 66:16). The psalmist will cry to the Lord with his mouth and extoll Him with his tongue (Psalm 66:17). The psalmist knows that if there is iniquity in his heart, the Lord will not hear him but also knows God has heard him and addressed his prayer (Psalm 66:18-19). The psalmist concludes by offering blessings to God, who has not turned away from his prayer, nor turned His mercy from him (Psalm 66:20).

 

In Psalm 67, the psalmist offers an invocation and doxology of praise unto the Lord. It begins with the psalmist asking God to be merciful and bless the people, making his face to shine upon them (Psalm 67:1). Through this demonstration of mercy, the way of the Lord and His salvation are known among all nations (Psalm 67:2). The psalmist wants all the peoples to praise God and to let the nations be glad and sing for joy because the Lord judges the people righteously and governs all the nations (Psalm 67:3-4). Again, the psalmist urges all the peoples to praise God so the earth shall yield its increase, and God can bless His people (Psalm 67:5-6). The psalmist concludes by saying God shall bless His people and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him (Psalm 67:7).

 

This unknown psalmist has no doubt experienced some of the troubles and struggles of the nation of Israel. However, rather than focusing on troubles, the psalmist offers praise to God.

• Psalm 66, praise to God for His awesome works – As a reminder of the Lord’s awesome works, the psalmist reminds us of how God parted the Red Sea, allowing the people of Israel to cross on dry land while drowning the Egyptians pursuing them (Exodus 14:1-31). The crossing of the Red Sea is a reminder of how God rescues his people by His power. The people of Israel are not to remain silent about the good works done by the Lord, but are to declare these good works and make offerings to the Lord. The psalmist also has confidence that the Lord will hear his prayer and have mercy on him.
• Psalm 67, an invocation and doxology – This psalm begins with the psalmist asking God to be merciful and bless His people, causing his face to shine upon them. This will demonstrate to the whole earth the way of salvation from the Lord. Again, the psalmist urges the people not to remain silent about the mercy and blessing of God but to be vocal. This vocal declaration of the mercy and salvation of God will cause the ends of the earth to praise the Lord.

 

We live in a fallen world, just like the psalmist in these psalms, and can become bogged down in the struggles of life, leading to depression and even despair. These psalms are a reminder to focus on the goodness of God during these times. While we can still look back at how God delivered the people of Israel by parting the Red Sea, we can also look back at the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10). Just as the psalmist told the people of Israel not to be silent about the good works of God, Jesus commissioned His Church not to be silent but to let the world know (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus also told his disciples that if they lift Him up, He will draw men unto Him (John 12:32). For revival to come, this is the message the Church must focus upon.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation, believing in faith that Jesus died to atone for your sins, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you meant what you just prayed, know God has forgiven all your sins and that you now have a relationship with God and are a child of God (Romans 8:16). Like any relationship, it grows as we get to know each other. While God already knows all about us, we must study the Bible, the word of God, to learn more about Him. If you just prayed, I encourage you to find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.