Why do we shout for joy to God? The first part of this psalm reminds us of what we learned yesterday from Psalm 65. We praise God for His great power, especially for the way He has used that power in the salvation and protection of His people (verse 3). In verse 6, the Psalmist may have had two particular examples in mind – when God parted the Red Sea so that the people could escape from Pharaoh’s army, and when God parted the Jordan River to allow the people to enter the Promised Land. And it is still easy for us to declare God’s praise to everyone as verses 16 and 17 describe – when things are going the way we think they should.

But the psalm also mentions some more difficult times, times when unbelieving nations got the upper hand over God’s people. Verse 12 could refer to the times of the Judges, when the nations surrounding Israel invaded them and even conquered parts of their territory for a time. And of course, the Psalm could refer to the even later events of the Assyrian conquest of northern Israel and the Babylonian conquest of the area around Judea. Truly, God’s people often found themselves caught in a net, and had heavy burdens laid upon them (verse 11).

But even during such tough times, the Psalmist continues to acknowledge the mighty power of God, the same power that parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River. In fact, in verses 11 and 12, he makes it plain that God Himself had allowed His people to fall into the hands of their enemies. But in verse 10, he explains at least part of the reason – to test their faith.

For let’s face it: when everything’s going right, when we’re living through the triumph of verse 6, we don’t really need to trust God, do we? It’s only when we’re walking through the hard times of verses 10-12 that we need to rely on His power and love. It’s only then that our faith truly grows.

So, that’s the challenge for us – to rejoice in the Lord during all the seasons of life that this Psalm describes. Will we put away wickedness from our heart (verse 18)? Will we offer ourselves up to Him completely, keeping our vows of allegiance and obedience to Him (verse 13)? Will we bear testimony to His power and His love not only in the good times, but also in the tough times (verse 16)? As Paul challenges us in Philippians 4:4, will we rejoice in the Lord always?

Psalm 66 (NASB)

For the choir director. A Song. A Psalm.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
2 Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Thy works! Because of the greatness of Thy power Thine enemies will give feigned obedience to Thee.
4 “All the earth will worship Thee, And will sing praises to Thee; They will sing praises to Thy name.” Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; They passed through the river on foot; There let us rejoice in Him!
7 He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 Bless our God, O peoples, And sound His praise abroad,
9 Who keeps us in life, And does not allow our feet to slip.
10 For Thou hast tried us, O God; Thou hast refined us as silver is refined.
11 Thou didst bring us into the net; Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins.
12 Thou didst make men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; Yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance.
13 I shall come into Thy house with burnt offerings; I shall pay Thee my vows,
14 Which my lips uttered And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
15 I shall offer to Thee burnt offerings of fat beasts, With the smoke of rams; I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;
19 But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His lovingkindness from me.