Psalms 66:20

KJV

Blessed [be] God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {H1288}{H8803)} be God {H430}, which hath not turned away {H5493}{H8689)} my prayer {H8605}, nor his mercy {H2617} from me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Blessed be God, who did not reject my prayer or turn his grace away from me.

Berean Standard Bible

Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld from me His loving devotion!

American Standard Version

Blessed be God, Who hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his lovingkindness from me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 66:20 serves as a profound personal testimony and doxology, culminating a psalm that begins with a universal call to praise God for His awesome deeds and deliverance. This verse expresses the psalmist's deep gratitude that God not only heard his specific prayer but also did not withhold His steadfast love and mercy, affirming God's unfailing faithfulness to His people even in their most intimate cries for help and establishing His character as perpetually benevolent and attentive.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 is a communal psalm of praise and thanksgiving, meticulously structured to transition from a universal call to worship to a deeply personal testimony. The initial section, spanning [verses 1-12](/psalms/66-1-12 "Psalm 66:1-12 - A Call to Praise God for His Mighty Deeds"), invites "all the earth" to "make a joyful noise to God" and recounts God's awe-inspiring acts of salvation, notably bringing Israel "through the sea on dry ground" ([Psalm 66:6](/psalms/66-6 "Psalm 66:6 - God's Deliverance at the Sea")). The psalm then shifts in [verses 13-20](/psalms/66-13-20 "Psalm 66:13-20 - A Personal Vow of Thanksgiving") to a personal vow of thanksgiving, as the psalmist enters the temple to offer sacrifices and declare God's goodness. Verse 20 acts as the climactic personal declaration, a heartfelt "Blessed be God" that seals the individual's experience of divine attentiveness and mercy, echoing the broader themes of God's power and faithfulness demonstrated throughout the entire psalm.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely for public worship or a personal offering of thanksgiving in the temple, Psalm 66 reflects the ancient Israelite practice of making vows during times of distress and fulfilling them upon deliverance. The act of testifying to God's faithfulness before the congregation was a significant part of communal worship, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people. The concept of God "hearing" prayer was paramount, signifying His active engagement and care for His supplicants, contrasting sharply with the silent, unresponsive idols of surrounding nations. The psalmist's experience would have resonated deeply within a culture where divine intervention was sought for both national crises and personal afflictions, and where the temple was the focal point for expressing gratitude and fulfilling promises to God. This communal and personal expression of faith underscored the unique, living nature of Israel's God.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 66:20 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Answered Prayer**, emphasizing God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the cries of His people, a truth reiterated in passages like [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me, and I Will Answer You"). Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Mercy and Faithfulness**, particularly through the mention of God's "mercy" (Hebrew *chêçêd*), which signifies His steadfast love and covenant loyalty that is never withdrawn. This aligns with the declaration in [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Come to an End"). Thirdly, the opening phrase, "Blessed [be] God," establishes the theme of **Thanksgiving and Doxology**, demonstrating that the appropriate response to God's goodness is heartfelt adoration and praise. Finally, the verse serves as a potent example of **Personal Testimony**, encouraging believers to recount their own experiences of God's direct intervention and faithfulness, thereby strengthening faith within the community and glorifying God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** This term, derived from a primitive root meaning "to kneel," signifies an act of adoration and praise when applied to God. It is not that God receives blessing from us to become more blessed, but rather we declare Him to be inherently blessed, acknowledging His supreme worth, inherent goodness, and His role as the ultimate source of all blessings. It is an active declaration of His praiseworthy nature.
* **Prayer (Hebrew, _tᵉphillâh'_):** This word refers specifically to an act of intercession or supplication, indicating a direct and intentional communication with God. The psalmist's emphasis that God "hath not turned away my prayer" highlights the personal and direct nature of this divine interaction, affirming God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the individual petitions of His faithful. It implies a specific, heartfelt cry from a place of need.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** One of the richest and most profound theological terms in the Old Testament, *chêçêd* is often translated as "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," or "covenant loyalty." It denotes a loyal, committed, and enduring love that extends beyond mere pity, embodying God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His people. Its inclusion here signifies that God's hearing of prayer and His non-withdrawal of mercy are rooted in His unchanging character of faithful, covenantal love.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [be] God":** This opening phrase is a direct, active declaration of praise and adoration. It is a spontaneous outflow of a heart overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness, setting a tone of worship. It acknowledges God's supreme worth and His role as the source of all blessings, initiating the doxological climax of the psalm.
* **"which hath not turned away my prayer":** This clause expresses profound relief and gratitude, signifying that God not only heard the psalmist's petition but also responded favorably. It indicates God's attentiveness, willingness to listen, and active intervention in the psalmist's specific situation. The phrase implies that the psalmist had a particular request, and God did not ignore or reject it, but rather engaged with it.
* **"nor his mercy from me":** This second negative clause emphasizes the unwavering nature of God's *chêçêd* (steadfast love/mercy). It assures the psalmist, and by extension the reader, that God's faithful love is constant and never withdrawn, even when facing personal trials or perceived divine silence. It grounds the answered prayer in God's unchanging character of loyal kindness, providing a deep theological foundation for His responsiveness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 66:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Doxology**, as the verse opens with a direct declaration of praise, "Blessed [be] God," immediately setting a tone of worship and adoration. This is followed by a strong element of **Personal Testimony**, where the psalmist recounts a specific, intimate experience of God's faithfulness ("my prayer," "his mercy from me"). The structure also exhibits **Negative Parallelism** within the second half of the verse ("hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me"), where two negative statements are used to reinforce a single, profound positive truth: God's unwavering attentiveness and steadfast love. This rhetorical device emphasizes the completeness and certainty of God's favorable response and enduring commitment, creating a powerful affirmation of divine reliability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 66:20 stands as a powerful testament to the accessibility and responsiveness of God, affirming that He is a God who hears and answers prayer, and whose mercy is unfailing. This verse reinforces the biblical truth that God's character is defined by His steadfast love (*chêçêd*) and His covenant faithfulness, which fundamentally undergirds His interactions with humanity. It teaches that genuine prayer is not a futile exercise but a direct engagement with a living God who cares deeply for His creation. The psalmist's personal experience of answered prayer and enduring mercy serves as an encouragement to all believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that His ear is open to their cries and His love will never be withdrawn from those who seek Him sincerely.

* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me, and I Will Answer You")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Come to an End")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 66:20 offers profound encouragement for contemporary believers, reminding us of the intimate and active nature of our relationship with God. In a world often marked by uncertainty, a sense of being unheard, or even divine silence, the psalmist's testimony provides a powerful counter-narrative: God listens, God responds, and God's love endures. This verse invites us to cultivate a life of confident prayer, knowing that our petitions are not merely whispers into the void but direct appeals to a compassionate Father who delights in hearing His children. It challenges us to embrace a spirit of profound gratitude, not only for the specific answers we receive but for the very character of God—His unwavering mercy and faithfulness. By regularly recounting God's goodness in our lives, we strengthen our faith, transform our perspective, and are empowered to live lives of thanksgiving, trusting Him for both present needs and future uncertainties, always remembering that His *chêçêd* is our constant companion and an inexhaustible wellspring of hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific prayers in your life has God answered, and how does recalling them strengthen your faith today?**
* **How does the concept of God's "mercy" (*chêçêd*) being "not turned away" impact your understanding of His character and your confidence in approaching Him in prayer?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a more consistent spirit of thanksgiving and praise, even when faced with unanswered prayers or difficult circumstances?**
* **How might sharing your personal testimony of God's faithfulness encourage others in your community or sphere of influence, fostering a collective sense of God's active presence?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that God "hath not turned away my prayer"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that God not only heard the psalmist's prayer but also responded favorably to it. It implies that God was attentive, did not ignore the supplication, and acted in accordance with the psalmist's request or in a way that demonstrated His care and intervention. It highlights God's active engagement with His people's cries, reinforcing His character as a God who listens and intervenes, as seen in [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1-2 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears My Voice"). It's a profound declaration of divine responsiveness and a personal experience of God's faithfulness in action, assuring the believer that their petitions are not in vain.

**How is "mercy" in this verse related to God's character?**

Answer: The "mercy" mentioned here is the Hebrew word *chêçêd*, which is a foundational and multifaceted attribute of God's character. It denotes His steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and loyal kindness. When the psalmist says God has not turned "his mercy from me," it means God's enduring, committed love, which is part of His very being, has remained constant and available, never diminishing or being withdrawn. This isn't just a fleeting emotion but a deep, unwavering commitment rooted in His covenant with His people. It assures us that God's willingness to hear and answer prayer flows directly from His unchanging nature of faithful love, as profoundly expressed in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 66:20 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's gratitude for answered prayer and unwavering mercy points forward to the perfect intercessor and the ultimate demonstration of God's *chêçêd*. In Christ, God's mercy is not merely "not turned away" but is poured out in its fullness, as He is the very embodiment of God's steadfast love for humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Through Jesus, our prayers are not turned away, for He Himself is the "way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), granting us unprecedented access to the Father. His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection are the supreme acts of God's *chêçêd*, securing for us eternal access to divine favor and an unfailing supply of grace. Moreover, Christ Himself prayed with fervent cries and tears during His earthly ministry, and "He was heard because of His piety" ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience")), demonstrating the Father's perfect attentiveness to His beloved Son, through whom all our prayers are now made acceptable and effective. Thus, the psalmist's personal testimony becomes a universal truth for all who are "in Christ," experiencing God's mercy that truly "endures forever" ([Psalm 136:1](/psalms/136-1 "Psalm 136:1 - Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 68:35

O God, [thou art] terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel [is] he that giveth strength and power unto [his] people. Blessed [be] God.

Psalms 86:12

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalms 86:13

For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Psalms 51:11

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Psalms 22:24

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

2 Samuel 7:14

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

2 Samuel 7:15

But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from Saul, whom I put away before thee.