If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:18, 19
A Psalm of Thanksgiving
The community of faith praises God joyfully. And the psalm, representing the individual believer, commits himself to praise God and pray to Him. This psalm is an exalting expression of praise for God’s works on behalf of his people. Psalm66, a psalm of praise, offers significant contributions to our understanding of the values of biblical worship. In the course of the psalm, the poet offers descriptive praise, praising God for who He is and what H does, as well as declarative praise, praising God for specific answers to prayer.
66:1, 2 As in 100:1, the call is not only for the people of Israel, but for peoples of all the earth to join in the praise of the 
living God, the Most High. Sing out the honor of His name: The Lord is pleased with music that praise His glorious name (Ex. 15:2). The Lord’s name describes His character, so honoring God’s name is honoring God Himself.
1 To the Chief Musician. A Song. A Psalm. Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
66:8-12 You… tested us. When we can see God’s hand in our pain and praise Him for our suffering, we are becoming mature.
8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, 9 Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. 10 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. 11 You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. 12 You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
66:13 I will. The first 12 verses speak of “we.” Here the psalm shifts to “I.” When each individual is moved to heartfelt worship, the church honors God.
13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
** Praise comes after personally experiencing God’s work in our lives. After having gone through trials and errors, after having our prayers answered, and realizing who have walked with us throughout our personal journey. Then praise flows out of each of our mouths naturally and we begin to sing.
Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds
66 1 To the Chief Musician. A Song. A Psalm. Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. 4 All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah 5 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him. 7 He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, 9 Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. 10 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. 11 You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. 12 You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble. 15 I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals, With the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats. Selah 16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul. 17 I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue. 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. 19 But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!
