Psalm 66:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

NIV: but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

NASB: But God has heard; He has given attention to the sound of my prayer.

CSB: However, God has listened; he has paid attention to the sound of my prayer.

NLT: But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.

KJV: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

NKJV: But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

God listened to the psalmist's prayer and answered it (Psalm 66:13–15). He wants others to know about this. But the psalmist also strives for people to understand that personal sin will dampen this relationship (Psalm 66:18). When sin no longer lurks in the heart and the path is clear between the believer and God, answered prayer results. While God is not obligated, He does look favorably on those who have accepted Christ for salvation.

David provides an example of this truth. In Psalm 51 he describes the pain of broken fellowship with God. This happened because David committed adultery and arranged a murder (2 Samuel 12:7–11). He cries out to God for cleansing (Psalm 51:7), for forgiveness of sin (Psalm 51:9), and for a new, forgiven heart (Psalm 51:10). In Psalm 32 he expresses the joy of answered prayer. He describes the blessing of forgiveness (Psalm 32:1–2). He writes, "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." No sin is too great for the Lord to forgive when the sinning believer sincerely confesses it and asks God for forgiveness.

Here, the psalmist's prayers directed towards God aren't clouded by a heart of sin and wickedness.

Psalm 66:13–20 addresses God, then the congregation. This comes after calling upon the nations to worship God because of His marvelous deeds on behalf of Israel. The psalmist wants to tell the assembled people that God heard his prayer and answered it. He concludes this section by praising God for answering prayer and extending His loyal love.

This psalm appeals to the entire world to worship the Lord. His great works, such as giving Israel safe passage through the Red Sea, should be praised. Because God watches the world, no one should presume they can rebel without consequences. God tested Israel heavily but brought the nation to an abundant place. The psalmist declares that he will fulfill his vows and offer sacrifices, because God answered his prayer. Verses 1–9 speak to the nations of earth; verses 10–15 are spoken to God; verses 16–20 are addressed to the congregation.

This is a psalm of thanksgiving, but the occasion that prompted it is unknown. It may have been written after the Lord defeated the Assyrians (Isaiah 36—37). Another possibility is that it was recorded following the return from Babylonian captivity (Ezra 1:2–3).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.