Message Notes

SSS 4 29 JANUARY 2023
Book 2
Psalms 42-72

Text: Psalm 66

To the Chief Musician. A Song. A Psalm.
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

2 Sing out the honour of His name;
Make His praise glorious.

3 Say to God,
“How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.

4 All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah

5 Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.

6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.

7 He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,

9 Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.

10 For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.

12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfilment.

13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay You my vows,

14 Which my lips have uttered
And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.

15 I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals,
With the sweet aroma of rams;
I will offer bulls with goats. Selah

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare 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 iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.

19 But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

Psalm 66:1-20

1. A strong call to offer praise and worship to God

1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

2 Sing out the honour of His name;
Make His praise glorious.

Psalm 66:1-2

a) Joy

b) Singing the honour of God’s name

c) Praise

2. Reasons for praise and worship

3 Say to God,
“How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.

4 All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah

5 Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.

Psalm 66:3-5

a) The awesomeness of God’s works

b) The greatness of God’s power

c) Praise and worship are natural responses

3. The works of God

6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.

7 He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,

9 Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.

Psalm 66:6-9

a) Historical works

b) The sovereign rule of God

c) He preserves our souls

d) Reasons enough to offer praise and worship

4. The trials of life

10 For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.

12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfilment.

Psalm 66:10-12

a) Tested

i) Into the net

ii) Affliction suffered

iii) Caused men to ride over our backs

iv) Went through fire and water

b) Results

i) Refined as silver

ii) Rich fulfilment

5. Personal Response

13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay You my vows,

14 Which my lips have uttered
And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.

15 I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals,
With the sweet aroma of rams;
I will offer bulls with goats. Selah

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare 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 iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.

19 But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

Psalm 66:13-20

a) Paying of vows made to God

b) Making offerings to God

c) Bearing testimony of the Lord’s goodness

d) Personal lessons to be noted

i) If iniquity is not dealt with

ii) God will not hear and bless

e) Extolling the LORD

i) For hearing and answering prayers

ii) For granting mercy