What a thrilling song of praise, Psalm 66.

All 20 verses!

And I’ve just noticed something else, after having studied the Text with you for a couple of weeks! That’s the nature of the ever living Word of God, always presenting us something “fresh” and “invigorating!”

The Psalm invites various groups to join in praise to God. It is truly a “call to worship!”

For example, verse 1. “Make a joyful noise unto God, ALL YE LANDS.” Including the islands, not just the vast continents!

Then verse 4. “ALL THE EARTH shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.” Now the globe’s inhabitants are invited!

Verse 7 as well. “He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: LET NOT THE REBELLIOUS EXALT THEMSELVES.” Anarchists, submit! Unbelievers, come, repent, obey!

Then in verses 8 and 9, the followers of this great God themselves! “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.” See it now, “our God.” Christians, we’d call them today, our kind of folks.

Then in verse 16, those who “fear” God. “Come and hear, ALL YE THAT FEAR GOD, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” The “God-fearers” are generally people on the verge of trusting the Lord! Or at least that’s what they were called in Paul’s day.

Now look at the list!

All lands!

All peoples, all the earth!

Even unbelievers, rebels … still unbroken!

Children of God, too! Those who joyfully claim Him as their own!

And folks “under conviction,” we’d say today. The God fearers, wanting to know more about Him and His wonderful works.

Quite a list, five fold.

Oh yes, let me join them too!

And verse 2 is a good place to start. “Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.” Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell