"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me." (Psalm 66:1-20)

          This Psalm was written just after Israel had received a great deliverance by the hand of God. The message of Psalm 66 was that the entire world should praise God and that all people should think about His power. The psalmist praised God for saving the lives of his people. The leader of the people promised God that he would make the sacrifices and offerings required by the Almighty. The psalmist pleaded with everyone that feared God to honor Him with faithful service. He recognized the horrible result of sin. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." God is worthy and we must "Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious." God did many wonderful things for the Jews. He (1) Led them from Egypt to the Promised Land, (2) He made a part of the Red Sea dry so that Israel could cross, (3) He gave them passage through the Jordan River, and (4) He blessed them beyond measure. He gave them children; He gave them animals and He gave them food. The response of the people to God's goodness should be that they should bless and praise Him. If we obey God He will not remove His mercy from us and He will answer our prayers.  

          The entire world should praise God -- Psalm 66:1-12: This psalm reminds the world that all people should praise God because of His power and because of the salvation that He makes available. All the inhabitants of the earth are encouraged to shout joyful praise to God. Everyone should sing praise to God's name because of His marvelous deeds. God's creative and sustaining acts should give rise to wonder in our hearts and thanksgiving on our lips! Let us do our best to worship God and praise His name. The wondrous works of God should cause us to praise Him. He could dry a part of the Red Sea and of the Jordan River and allow the Jews to pass over on foot. God's eyes keep watch over the nations or He is aware of what goes on in the kingdoms of men. The sins of Israel caused them to be put under tremendous stress by their enemies.   

          All that fear the Lord should hear Him -- Psalm 66:13-20: The psalmist promised God that he would go into the house of God and keep his vows and offer proper sacrifices to the Creator. He said, "I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings; I shall pay You my vows, Which my lips uttered And my mouth spoke when I was in distress. I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts, With the smoke of rams; I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats." All fearers of God should "Come" before Him and "Hear" Him. Let us all listen to what God has done for us and learn to serve Him. The psalmist was thankful that "God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer." The thankfulness within his heart caused him to praise God. He knew that, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." (Psalms 66:18) The psalmist praised God for not rejecting his prayers and not withdrawing His mercy from him.