Psalm 66 – Shout for Joy!
There are many ways to praise God. Last week we looked at praising God in silence in Psalm 65 – Praise Awaits! This week we look at another way to praise God in Psalm 66 – Shout for Joy! What are the psalmist’s reasons for shouting for joy?
Psalm 66
In Psalm 66 – shout for joy, the psalmist begins by telling all of the earth to shout for joy and sing the glory of God’s name.
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” (1-2)
He goes on to praise God saying:
“Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” (3-4)
Why? Because of all God has done for the Hebrew nation. He led them safely out of bondage in Egypt and across the Red Sea:
“He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot – come, let us rejoice in him.” (6)
And “he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.” (9)
Praising God Despite Suffering
But then the psalm takes an interesting turn. The writer praises God for testing them: “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” (10)
Not only that, but God brought them into prison.
You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” (11-12)
They were tested but eventually God brought them to a place of abundance.
The psalmist tells everyone what he intends to do, fulfilling the vows he made while in trouble.
“I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you— vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.” (13-14)
And ends be telling everyone all God has done for him.
“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” (16)
“But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (19-20)
Psalm of Re-Orientation
This is one of the psalms of re-orientation, as defined by Walter Brueggmann. The writer has gone through a time of disorientation and suffering and is now on the other side, looking back at what happened and praising God. It’s one thing to praise God when everything is going our way, but to be able to praise God despite terrible suffering, being thrown into prison, beaten, that is something else. That is a sign of a mature faith that believes in God and that God is worthy of praise even when we don’t understand.
It’s also a reminder that everything doesn’t have to go our way, and we don’t even have to be happy, to experience joy.
Psalm 66 – Shout for Joy!
The author of Psalm 66 – shout for joy, tells us to “Rejoice in Him.” (6) Rejoice in our God who is with us through times of trouble and brings us through to the other side. It isn’t enough to sit in silent praise. We are called to shout for joy. Our God loves us, our God is with us in good times and bad. We can’t keep the words to ourselves. They need to be shared with others, as the psalmist does. So, shout for joy for our awesome God!
Do you have a reason to shout to God for joy? I would love to hear from you.
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 66: A Spacious Place – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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