Psalm Chapter 66

To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.

Psalm 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

When I was first introduced to praise and worship in song, I didn't quite know what to think about it. I was use to singing southern gospel music and in praying around the altar at the end of the church service but not the modern praise and worship in today's churches.

It is different now but that doesn't mean it's all bad. In our music, we need to embrace the songs that truly tell of God's wonderful works, that praise His name and give Him glory. We need to be careful that our worship is toward Him and our hearts are in true worship. Even though many of us love the beat of the music, and that is not bad, but our focus must be on the words we are singing.

This doesn't mean that our worship songs have to be slow and without a beat but we must be careful that the music brings honor and glory to God. There is nothing wrong with the upbeat music as long as it glorifies God. In doing so, however, let's be careful not to abandon the old hymns of the church. Remember the congregation comprises of older people as well as younger ones and they need to worship too. Many miss the hymns in today's music and feel left out with so much emphasis on all new.

The main thing is to take the example of David and desire to worship with song as well as praise. We don't need to refuse the newer music though because there is a place for both. We don't have to be dry and boring in worship. Why limit the worship to our God to our preferences? Why not have both? The resurrection and hope for life eternal is something to cause us to rejoice and be thankful.

I had someone ask me once, "Why do your churches praise and worship so much? Can't you honor God better be doing service, helping others and doing good things?"

He has a point. If all we did was praise and worship and we were not fruitful in the practical everyday area of our lives, and we had no teaching of the word, sooner or later our lives would not back up what we sang about. The word is what cleanses and keeps us right with God. The word teaches us how to act, live and work among unbelievers. The word gives us strength. We need to receive the word and then let that word bring forth action in our daily lives. This will cause us to reach out to others.

However, let us not abandon praise and worship. It does accomplish much. It's a way to show our thankfulness for the sacrifice, suffering, mercy and gifts God gives us. We were once lost and without hope but through faith in Jesus' salvation, we have life eternal.

Psalm 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 66:2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 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.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

The word terrible in verses 3 and 5 could probably prefer to the plagues that come upon the wicked similar to the plagues of Egypt during the time of Moses.

Worship consists of:

Praising
Singing
Fervent prayer
Receiving the word
Living the life of holiness
Believing in God from the heart
Meditation upon the word of God
Sharing the gospel with others.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Iniquity or sin separates us from God and hinders our prayers unless that prayer is a prayer of repentance. I read a book written by a woman who lived in a country where the gospel was forbidden. She was beaten by her husband and had 3 children. She wanted a way out. She didn't know Jesus at the time. She knew there was a God somewhere. She wrote a letter to God asking for helping. In this instance somehow God heard. By a series of close calls and dangerous events, she managed to get herself and her 3 children out of that country to another that was free. Later she visited a church and found Jesus. Her children took awhile to come to the faith of the Lord but all three of them did. Two became pastors of churches. I would say truly God is a God of miracles. God heard that prayer of desperation in her letter.

When we repent, that means that we are sorry for sin and sorry to the point of wanting to give that sin up and change. When we ask God to forgive us and cleanse us from that sin, we then have our fellowship with God restored. Then we are ready for the worship we discussed previously.

This sin can only be done away with through faith in Jesus Christ whom God sent to us to make the sacrifice for us for our sins to be forgiven and removed. Jesus is the only true way to get rid of sins.

That is why faith in Jesus is more than just another religion. He is the way to Heaven. He is the only way to victory over sin. Sin kills and destroys. Jesus died for sins making Himself the perfect spotless sacrifice for our sins. He did not deserve death Himself so His suffering and death counts on behalf of all who receive Him and believe the word of God concerning Him. Jesus is our savior, redeemer and giver of eternal life.

After receiving this free unearned gift from God, we then can sincerely offer Him praise and worship.

Psalm 66:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

The fact that God hears our prayers and does not turn away is something to praise Him and sing unto Him for. DC

Psalm 67

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