In Psalm 66:1-2 we read “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.”
The Psalmist is full of awe as he considers the name of our God and His marvelous deeds. Numerous times in the Scriptures we read of individuals hearing God’s voice or witnessing some of His amazing miracles and they fall flat to the earth, overcome by His greatness, His goodness, and His glory.
The Psalm calls for all mankind to —
Shout with joy to God,
Sing the glory of His name,
Make His praise glorious,
Say to God “How awesome are Your deeds.”
“So great is your power.”
Notice the reaction that happens as we are confronted with His majesty —
· Your enemies cringe before You. 3b
· The earth bows down to You. 4a
· They sing praise to Your name. 4b
The Psalmist then focuses on some of the actual deeds of God.
· He turned the sea into dry land. Vs. 6
· He rules forever by His power. Vs. 7
· His eyes watch the nations. Vs. 7
· He discourages the rebellious from rising up against Him. Vs. 7
I have always loved Isaiah 42:5-8 where we read — “Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it. Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it. I the LORD, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring prisoners out of prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the LORD, that is My name, And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.”
Listen to the words of the Psalmist 146:5-9 —
“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help; whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.”
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow; (and the widower);
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.”
Folks, the God you are reading about is your God and my God and He is personal and so worthy of our worship.
I want to close this meditation with one more passage that I pray will exalt God’s holy name to all of us.
Psalm 147:1-11
“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.”
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of stars; He calls them all by name.
Great is our LORD, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Sing to the LORD, with thanksgiving.
Sing praises on the harp to our God;
Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass grow on the mountains.
He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry.
He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the leap of a man.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear (reverence) Him.
In those who hope in His mercy.”
I pray that by now our hearts are bursting with praise and joy as we truly reflect on all that His awesome name offers us. Let your soul swell with the reality of who our God really is and what He offers.
In His love, Pastor Leonard
