Today’s Verse is somewhat “dated.”

It is “Old Testament” to the core!

A worship verse, though. “I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.” Psalm 66:15

This is Mosaic ritual, at its best.

Giving to God animal sacrifice, no doubt each little creature being (in  some lovely way) a “picture” of the coming Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. Who died on the Cross to forgive us of our sin.

But two words suffice to give us the “essence,” the “sprit” of the Text.

I will capitalize those words now. “I will OFFER unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the INCENSE of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.”

In both cases (the verb “will offer” and the noun “incense”) the idea is something wafting upward, gently rising to the heavens! Toward God, to be received at His Pleasure!

“To offer” literally is “alah” in Hebrew, “to go up, ascend, climb!”

And “incense” is “qetoreth,” meaning “odor, perfume, odor,” in a good way. The aroma does rise, you know!

And even “Selah” may have the same idea. It’s some sort of musical term, maybe even indicating the use of “high” voices, sopranos we would say today. My computer software defines “selah” as a “lifting up” of some sort!

BUT …

How does one transfer this Old Testament Truth into New Testament practice?

Hebrews 13:15 beautifully does so, a single verse. “By him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Not the smoke of dead, burning animals any more … but the sincere words (sounds) of our mouths (lips) thanking and praising Almighty God for His daily benefits! Our words too, surely, drift upward, toward His Listening Ears!

Even Hosea says about the same thing, that long ago! “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.” Hosea 14:2

Wow!

Our lips, our expressions of adoration … as good as “calves” or “sheep” or “doves,” once offered to God above!

Let me close for today by saying …

“The Lord is good!”

“Praise His Name!”

“Hallelujah!”

Get the idea?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Actually Psalm 66:14 is not a complete sentence!

It’s part of a thought that began earlier in the Psalm. Nonetheless the verse houses a thought that I can’t forget.

I’m going to call today’s lesson, “What to say when we are in trouble!”

Now, Psalm 66:14, word for word, King James Version. “Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.”

“What I said … when I was in trouble!”

The concept of “trouble” as used here means “a narrow, tight place!” More and more constricting circumstances … heavier and heavier pressure!

But … what did I say then?

Did I complain?

Did I doubt God?

Did I question the Lord’s Wisdom, or Power?

The Psalmist certainly said something! Just go back one verse and you can easily discern what he declared. “I will go into Thy House (the house of the Lord) with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.”

The author of our Psalm here “promised” God some things, when he was in trouble.

And he plans to fulfill those commitments too!

When in trouble … David prayed.

When in trouble … Paul witnessed.

When in trouble … Jeremiah wept and trusted, then preached.

When in trouble … Peter repented.

When in trouble … John worshipped.

God loves to hear what we say … when in trouble.

Job said, when in trouble … having just heard of the deaths of all 10 of his children … “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

As Job’s troubles intensified … he still said things like this. “When he (God) hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

And when doubt began to attack … “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:25-26

In sum, with more troubles than nearly any other person in Scripture, Job said: “Though he (the Lord) slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 13:15

Wow!

Let’s pray the Lord will help us speak rightly … when trouble comes our way as well.

Psalm 119:71 presents the right idea. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted (endured trouble); that I might learn thy statutes.”

Second Corinthians 12:9, Paul in trouble: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Let’s “talk” when trouble comes, all right. Let’s talk rightly to God! Oh, one more Job verse. In great trouble … “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22

Wow!

Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh yes, another prayer to help. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Even when in trouble!

 

God has been good to the psalmist!

Though the man endured numerous trials and heartaches, God has brought him into some blessed places! And now the “sufferer” turned “adorer” wants to thank God!

Here are the 3 verses from Psalm 66 … immediately prior to our Text today. “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.” Psalm 66:10-12

Then, having been the recipient of such “wealthy” benefits … what’s a worshipper to do?

Now … today’s verse: “I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows.” Psalm 66:13, God’s House, of course.

He will bring an offering to His Lord!

Always, through the entire history of humanity, a “gift” is appropriate to express appreciation, love, gratefulness.

Here, not a gift to earn anything. Rather, a gift out of the overflowing joy of one’s heart, a gift of exultation as well.

And a “burnt offering,” an animal sacrifice in which the entire little creature is consumed by fire … a “preview” of a coming Saviour might be in view as well!

One who would die on the Cross … to save from sins!

And “paying” one’s vows simply means keeping the promises one made to his or her God at any time in the past.

The “essence” of today’s verse is this: DO NOT FORGET THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS SHOWERED UPON YOU. IN BAD TIMES OR GOOD TIMES! RECIPROCATE WITH A HEART OF LOVE AND WORSHIP!

For us that means something like going to Church (faithfully). Singing His praises! Living a life in conformity to His Word!

And certainly, living up to the commitments made to Him in one’s life.

“I will go into Thy House with burnt offerings: I will pay Thee my vows.”

Amen!

Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

I love today’s Verse!

It describes one or two of those “no-matter-what-happens” kind of situations … and promises that God will still care for us!

Here it is, addressed directly to our Lord: “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.” Psalm 66:12

“To ride,” an infinitive, means “to mount a horse and gallop,” likely a military metaphor. The verb is framed in the “causative” (in Hebrew “Hiphil”) stem. God is the Reason this attack came! He is the ultimate “Cause!” We have been “belittled” if they rode “over our heads!” Defeated, conquered.

And following the thorough  thrashing, came “fire” and “water!” The prepositions “through” (both spelled “be” in Hebrew) means “presence in the midst of” something.

Wow!

What turmoil!

What opposition!

What adversity!

Why would God allow that?

Even more so, why would God send that?

And those answers are not really given, not in our Verse at least. But one encouraging fact is revealed. Through all those uncomfortable, dangerous situations … God has a “goal” in mind … for His children.

And that “goal” is?

“A WEALTHY PLACE!”

Look at the Verse again, please. “Thou, Lord, hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: BUT THOU BROUGHTEST US OUT INTO A WEALTHY PLACE.” 

The expression “wealthy place” translates a rare Hebrew noun, “revayah,” meaning “the state of saturation.” Filled to the brim! Soaked! Completely satisfied! Only found 2 times in all the Old Testament!

Here’s the other place, Psalm 22:5. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.” See the capitalized words, “revayah.” Overflow!

Now back to our Verse.

“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.”

The “battles” just may be worth the “blessings!”

God puts us in a “tight” place … that He may eventually put us in a “broad” place!

We face “danger” … then God showers upon us “delight!”

An unusual route to blessings!

But a God ordained one.

Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

The Verse, Psalm 66:11, is unique. It can only be understood by also reading the paragraph in which it’s found, in context. Especially noticing the previous verse and the following one as well.

“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.” Psalm 66:10-12, the context I just mentioned.

As you can see … I highlighted (with bold type) verse 11. But here it is all alone. “Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.”

Yes, God actually brought His people … “into the net!” God “caused them to enter” that thing! And the noun “net” is “matzsud,” a “holding place.” A “fortress,” here likened to a prison! A “snare” or trap! Wow!

And the verb for “laid” is “sum” (pronounced “soom”), indicating an “appointment!” God means to do this. The noun “affliction” is “muaqah,” meaning “distress, pressure,” really something crushing!

But … WHY would God do this?

Well, no doubt to help us grow in faith!

To help us become stronger at handling trials!

To be better Christians!

Furthermore, even the noun “loins” may have significance here. It means “hips” but is derived from a word meaning “to be slim!” Maybe to keep us from becoming “flabby, careless” Believers in Jesus! These difficulties are possibly sent our way to keep us (spiritually) exercised! Fit, ready to serve our Lord!

Yes, God send Paul a “thorn in the flesh!”

And put John on the “Isle of Patmos!”

And (back to the Old Testament) Joseph in “prison!”

The Psalmist once even wrote: “It is good for us to be afflicted!”

Maybe Isaiah 43:2 helps here. “When thou passest through the waters, I (the lord) will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell