One of the most thrilling verses in the Old Testament!

That’s how I characterize Psalm 66:16. A thrilled worshipper of God, our True God, exclaims: “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”

This is certainly an invitation!

Maybe it could be labeled a “Call to Worship!”

Using two main Hebrew verbs, “come” (in Hebrew “yalak” used 1043 times in the Bible) and “hear” (in Hebrew “shama” used 1159 times). And both verbs are imperatives, commands! And they are also the first two words of the Hebrew Text, Psalm 66:16, giving them dominant influence in the whole statement.

Who are being summoned?

Those, all those, who “fear” God!

And now “fear,” (in Hebrew “yare”) means “reverence,” the idea of “awe,” a respectful fear. Like this: “fear you might offend” One so Great!

And once his congregation has been assembled, what is the Psalmist planning to do?

To declare what God has done for his soul!

Wow!

Again: “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”

The verb “will declare” translates “saphar,” a word basically meaning “to count!” To enumerate! Thus to list one by one, many things usually!

All the things God has “done,” spelled “asah,” and implying “made, fashioned, accomplished, prepared, wrought!”

Bragging on God!

Uplifting, exalting His Name!

Magnifying our great Creator/Redeemer!

Again I say, a great Verse!

And a great Text to obey, to apply in our own lives!

May these words be our words as well. “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”

Amen!

Dr. Mike Bagwell