Psalm 66:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

NIV: Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

NASB: Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer Nor His favor from me.

CSB: Blessed be God! He has not turned away my prayer or turned his faithful love from me.

NLT: Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

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

NKJV: Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!

This psalm concludes with this repeated celebration that God answered the writer's prayer (Psalm 66:19). Though this psalm is not officially tied to David, it includes themes of his other writings. David experienced intense guilt and suffering for his sin regarding Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:7–11). When the Lord answered David's prayer and forgave him (Psalm 51:1), he felt the sense of God's forgiveness. David writes in Psalm 32:11, "Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart." This psalmist, too, had reasons to be thankful for God's mercy and forgiveness.

When a believer sins, God does not cast him aside. Instead, He convicts him of sin and disciplines him with the goal of restoring him to fellowship with Himself (Hebrews 12:6). Luke 15 records a story referred to as that of "the prodigal son;" the story may just as well be titled "the loving father." When the wayward son regretted his wasted life, he decided to return home. Perhaps to his surprise, "while he was a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). The heavenly Father, like the prodigal's father, loves every repentant believer, and eagerly forgives them.

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.