Psalms 66:20

Psalm 66:20 is a powerful declaration of thanksgiving and a personal testimony to God's faithfulness, concluding a psalm that calls all the earth to praise the Lord for His mighty works and deliverance.

Context of Psalm 66:20

Psalm 66 is a communal psalm of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's awesome deeds, particularly His deliverance of His people from various trials. The first part of the psalm (verses 1-12) invites all the earth to sing praises to God and recounts His historical acts of salvation, including bringing Israel through the Red Sea (verse 6). The latter part (verses 13-20) shifts to a personal vow of thanksgiving and a testimony of answered prayer, likely after a period of personal or national distress. Verse 20 serves as the climax of this personal testimony, expressing profound gratitude that God heard the psalmist's cry and did not withhold His steadfast love.

Key Themes and Messages

• Answered Prayer: The verse highlights the profound relief and joy that comes from experiencing God's direct intervention in response to prayer. The psalmist testifies that God "hath not turned away my prayer," emphasizing His attentiveness and willingness to hear the cries of His people. This theme reassures believers that God is a prayer-answering God.
• Divine Mercy and Faithfulness: Equally significant is the declaration that God has not turned "his mercy from me." The Hebrew word for mercy here is chesed, which signifies God's steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and loyal kindness. This isn't just a fleeting feeling but a deep, unwavering commitment. The psalmist celebrates God's enduring chesed, which is always available and never withdrawn from those who seek Him. This aligns with the truth that the Lord's mercies are new every morning.
• Thanksgiving and Blessing: The opening phrase, "Blessed [be] God," is a direct act of worship and adoration. It's a spontaneous outflow of a heart overwhelmed by God's goodness. It teaches us that our response to God's faithfulness and answered prayers should be one of profound gratitude and blessing Him for His character and actions.
• Personal Testimony: While the psalm begins with a universal call to praise, it concludes with a very personal and intimate testimony of God's direct involvement in the psalmist's life. This encourages believers to share their own experiences of God's faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term baruch (בָּרוּךְ), translated as "Blessed" at the beginning of the verse, literally means "praised" or "extolled." It's an active declaration of praise towards God, acknowledging His inherent goodness and worthiness of adoration.

The word "mercy" in this verse is the rich Hebrew term chesed (חֶסֶד), often translated as "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," or "covenant loyalty." It describes a loyal, committed love that goes beyond mere pity, encompassing God's faithfulness to His promises and His people. Its inclusion here underscores that God's hearing of prayer is rooted in His unchanging character of faithful love.

Practical Application

Psalm 66:20 serves as a powerful reminder and encouragement for believers today:

• Pray with Confidence: We can approach God's throne with assurance, knowing that He hears our prayers and does not turn them away.
• Trust in God's Unfailing Mercy: Even in difficult times, we can rest in the certainty of God's steadfast love (chesed), which never departs from His children.
• Cultivate a Spirit of Thanksgiving: Like the psalmist, we are called to bless and praise God for His faithfulness, not just for what He does, but for who He is. Regularly recounting His goodness in our lives helps us to remember His past mercies and trust Him for the future. This attitude of gratitude transforms our perspective and strengthens our faith, prompting us to give thanks in all circumstances.