Psalm 66 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 66 Short Summary:

Psalm 66 is a psalm of worship and thanksgiving for God’s love and great works. The psalmist calls on everyone to shout to the Lord with joy. The psalm recalls God's deliverance of the nation of Israel, invites people to worship, and concludes with a personal testimony about how God answered the prayers of the psalmist.

Psalm 66 Summary

AUTHOR:

• The author of Psalm 66 is unknown.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• No Known New Testament References.

THEMES:

• An encouragement to worship God.

• God’s work amongst the nation of Israel and His governance of all nations.

DEFINITIONS:

• Selah (66:4) – This word appears over 70 times in the Psalms. Scholars have tried for years to discover the true meaning of the word, but it remains somewhat of a mystery. Some scholars think it’s a musical pause or a literary pause, calling on the reader to stop and ponder what was just stated.  Other scholars propose its meaning is related to worship, an expression of praise to God. Still others suggest it’s a literary device used by the ancients to mark themes that run through the text. The only other book in the Bible where “Selah” is found is the book of Habakkuk.

OUTLINE:

• SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD (66:1-4):

  • The author of Psalm 66 began by encouraging everyone to worship God.

  • He encouraged everyone to verbalize their admiration for God’s work and His power (66:3).

  • He wrote, “All the earth worships you and sings praises to you” (66:4).

• COME AND SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE (66:5-20):

  • God was governing the world, keeping a watchful eye on all nations, and using them to achieve His will.

  • The author invited his countrymen to recall God’s goodness to their nation (Israel) in the past, specifically mentioning the time God saved them from the Egyptians by drying up the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

  • God had never abandoned Israel, although He had tested them through hardship at times.

  • “For You, O God, have tested us; You have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs; You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet You have brought us out to a place of abundance” (66:10-12).

  • The writer promised to go to the house of the Lord and offer sacrifices of worship for all God had done for him.

  • He was going to tell anyone who would listen all the great things God had done for him.

  • The psalmist ends by praising God for hearing his prayers and extending love to him.

APPLICATION:

• In the books of Exodus, Numbers, and Judges, you can read about some of the hardships the Israelites faced in the early years of their nation.

• They often complained about the hardships. Many complained that God should have stopped their suffering and fixed their problems immediately.

• In the modern world, many people complain about hardship and lash out at God for not taking it away. Some even reject the existence of God because suffering exists.

• But this psalm, and many other passages, reveal God had a purpose in allowing suffering to exist, namely the testing of His people (66:10).

• The existence of hardships and the Christian God are not incompatible.

• What appeared as meaningless hardship to the Israelites was a refining force.

• What appears as meaningless hardship to us may very well be the same thing.