Come and Hear
Opening Prayer
What has God done for you this year? What are his “awesome deeds” in your life? Thank God for them now.
Read Psalm 66:1-20
[1]For the director of music. A song. A psalm. Shout for joy to God, all the earth! [2] Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. [3] Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. [4] All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” [5] Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! [6] He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in him. [7] He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations- let not the rebellious rise up against him. [8] Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; [9] he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. [10] For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. [11] You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. [12] You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. [13] I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you- [14] vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. [15] I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. [16] Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. [17] I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. [18] If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; [19] but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. [20] Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What are some reasons for the psalmist’s praise?This psalm is a symphony of praise in two movements. Each movement is a response to the “awesome deeds” of God. The first movement (1-12) is the song of a whole nation. It may well have been sung by the people of Israel when they returned from their exile in Babylon. The singers have been through some terrible experiences–fire and water; prison and oppression (11,12)–but they recognize that God has never deserted them. The second movement (13-20) is more personal. Perhaps it reflects the experience of the king who had been with his people through their exile. God has heard his prayer and has not withheld his love. For the people as a whole, the appropriate response is exuberant praise. They want the whole earth to join in their song because God has proved that he is Lord of all creation (4). For the king the appropriate response is sacrifice–a private and costly fulfillment of his vows to God (13). The people and the king have one thing in common: they can’t stop themselves from telling other people what God has done for them (5,16).
Apply
Is there someone to whom you could say, “Come and hear what God has done for me”?
Closing prayer
Lord God, Your deeds on my behalf are truly awesome! Help me share that with others.
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