Today’s Verse gets us into the “meat” of Psalm 66.

“Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” Psalm 66:3

The things God has done!

And continues to do!

And will do yet in the future!

God’s very WORKS!

Like Balaam (of all people) said many years ago: “Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT!” Numbers 23:23, as a statement, not a question, “What hath God wrought!”

Yes indeed, God’s “works” are clearly in view, Psalm 66:3. “Maaseh” in Hebrew is the noun used here for “works,” usually meaning “deeds,” but 3 times in the Old Testament meaning “art” as in “artwork!” God, the Artist, plying His Handicraft every day!

God’s works though are here said to be “terrible.” And “yare” means “fearful.” But once it means “to be reverenced!” Like our concept, “awesome!”

“Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” Psalm 66:3

The noun “power” is spelled “oz” in Hebrew. It means “might” and “boldness.” It derives from the verb meaning “to prevail, to be victorious!” To be “hard,” unrelenting!

And for the idea of the enemies (grammatically, those who hate God) “submitting,” the Psalmist used “kachash,” a verb meaning “to be insufficient, to grow lean!” These God-fighters were “no match” for the Almighty!

It sounds like our Psalm is declaring both the Wonder of God … and His mighty Strength as well. God is to be adored! And obeyed too!

One more time: “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” Psalm 66:3

Oh yes, the opening verb, “to say” (spelled “amar”) is framed in the imperative mood! It means “to talk” about our great God in the manner prescribed in the verse! Rather, to talk to Him in that way!

Tell God today how GREAT He is!

And how VICTORIOUS!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today we have a good example of the “parallelism” that accompanies so much of Hebrew Poetry. Psalm 66:2 is short but didactic in this area.

The nations of the earth are being urged to: “Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.” God’s Name, His Praise!

What a choir that will be!

I can hear them singing. John did too, from the vantage point of Bible prophecy. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

The parallelism of which I spoke is found in two words in our Psalm 66:2 line. Really a double line of thought.

Sing forth the honour of His Name …

Make His Praise glorious!

Two verbs in each half, “sing forth” and “make.” In Hebrew “zamar” (to play an instrument) and “sum” (to appoint, ordain, mark).

Then a twofold use of the concept “honour!” The noun “kabod” being used in each case. That which is “heavy, weighty” in one’s estimation! Something you think a lot of, highly value!

Everything here “hinges” on the NAME of the Lord!

The noun “praise” comes from the Hebrew “halel” stem. As in Hallelujah! It means “to shine!” Then “to brag, boast” in our Lord!

And as you know, the “name” of the Lord includes all He is, all His Attributes, His Essence, His very Character, in all His Beauty!

This is worship, indeed.

Let us today, each of us, try to do this very thing.

“Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.”

Sing of Him!

Praise Him!

Think upon Him!

Honor Him!

Glorify Him!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Here’s today’s Verse: “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands.” Short Text this morning, Psalm 66:1 in its entirety.

“Make a joyful noise” is just one word in Hebrew, “rua,” but pronounced “roo-ah,” accenting the last syllable. The verb is an imperative. We are literally being commanded to praise the Lord! And rightly so. And “rua” means? “To shout, to raise a loud sound, to cry out, to triumph!”

Wow!

The preposition “unto” is spelled “le,” indicating “towards, to, for, in regard to,” God being the Focus of our praise! “God” as in “Elohiym,” the Divine Strong One! Also the One Who is Triune! Father, Son, Holy Spirit!

But who is to praise Him?

“All lands!”

“All” translates “kol,” meaning “no exceptions!” The “whole” of any entity!

And “lands” is “eretzs,” actually “earth” … yet meaning the inhabitants thereof, of course.

Planet-wide praise of God!

And I personally believe that will occur some day. When: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11

Psalm 24:1 says something similar. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. This is the generation of them that seek Him.” Psalm 24:1 and 6, amazing!

Jesus is coming again!

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7, wailing before believing … then praising and shouting for his Names’ Sake.

And ultimately: “Every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 14:16, yes!

Every one!

To worship the King!

Then today’s Verse again: “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands.”

Mark it down.

It will happen.

And, dear Believing Friends, we shall be in that massive company of worshippers as well, praising His dear Name!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

It’s certainly not one of the “better known” Psalms, not at all.

It has one verse that I’ve quoted for years. An important Bible Truth. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  Psalm 66:18, yet even that simple sentence is set in a context of grace!

The Psalm consists of only 20 verses, yet is filled with praise and adoration.

It’s “heading” or “superscript” merely declares: “To the Chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.” In other words, the composition is to be sent to the Jewish “song leader,” the “choir director,” to be set to music and sung! During times of public worship.

I earlier read that the noun “Song” in the preamble probably emphasizes the words of the Poem, it’s lyrics. While the parallel noun “Psalm” likely highlights the musical part of the Piece.

Spurgeon believed David to be the author, or at least saw no valid reason to deny that possibility. But technically, the Psalm is anonymous, stating no human writer. He is unknown. We can only say with authority (as with all Scripture) that it is divinely inspired. Written of God!

The Psalm’s first four verses constitute a world-wide “Call to Worship!” And beginning tomorrow morning we shall examine them, verse by verse. But not only the introduction … all its thrilling verses, every line! The Lord willing.

Enjoy that opening strophe now. “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.” Psalm 66:1-4, like I said, “world-wide!” See the capitalized phrases.

Praise the Lord forever!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

I mean seen here on earth, by His Disciples.

We now call the Event Jesus’ “Ascension.”

His miraculous rising up to Heaven, and into Heaven!

Here’s Luke’s telling of the Story: “And He (Jesus) led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51

He was “blessing” them, a Greek verb sometimes used for the act of prayer!

Jesus was there fulfilling the role of the Jewish Great High Priest, who often lifted his hands … and prayed a blessing upon the people! We even know what they prayed! “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

These very words may have come from Jesus’ Lips as He rose into the sky, into Glory!

Jesus, at prayer, the last time He was seen by a group!

Then I thought this, asked this. “What is Jesus doing right now?” In Heaven? At His Father’s Right Hand?

And the answer again is … praying!

Jesus is praying today, tonight, as our great Intercessor in Heaven!

Hebrews 7 actually furnishes my “proof” text. There Jesus is described as our Great High Priest. Who is unchangeable! “Wherefore He (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION for them.” Hebrews 7:25, where “making intercession” means “praying for someone,” you and me!

He’s praying even this very minute!

No wonder Psalm 109:4, in the Hebrew Text, says of Jesus (via the Bible miracle of prophecy) … “But I (am) prayer!”

He indeed is prayer!

He prayed leaving here.

He is still praying now.

Once more I declare … He IS prayer!

I know of no better way to conclude these Prayer Lessons than this last glance at our Lord, at Him Who indeed taught us to pray: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

Yes, Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell