Psalm 66, Part 2: God Heard Me!

Psalm 66 turns from congregational praise to personal gratitude.

David promises to keep the vows made to God while mired in trouble (vv. 13–15).

Christians who find themselves in difficulty will often promise God anything if He will just get them out of their predicament. Once the situation is resolved, they conveniently forget their promise. One should be extremely careful to keep resolutions made to God! David invites all to hear his story of redemption (v. 16). God had heard his plea and answered his prayer (v. 19).

But David notes that his heart had to be right with God for God to answer his request (v. 18). “In order for prayer to be acceptable to God, it must be coupled with a purpose to forsake all known sin (see Prov. 28:9; Isa. 1:15; 58:3–5).” “When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and he makes up for the deficiency with his own divine merit.” Some Christians believe God should answer their exact prayers. Instead, “when we come to Him we should pray . . . that our desires and interests may be lost in His. We should acknowledge our acceptance of His will, not praying Him to concede to ours. It is better for us that God does not always answer our prayers just when we desire, and in just the manner we wish. He will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes, for our wisdom is folly.” Why is it important to forsake all known sin if we want God to hear our prayers? Were God to grant the requests of a petitioner concealing evil in his or her heart, He would be endorsing sinful behavior.

To be right with God is to accept our own sinfulness, put away those things that separate us from His presence, and pray His will be done in our lives.

“Praise ye the Father for His lovingkindness, / Tenderly cares He for His erring children; / Praise Him, ye angels, praise Him in the heavens; / Praise ye Jehovah!”